United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Congress of the United States, the other being the Senate. It is conventional to consider the House as the "lower house", and the Senate as the "upper house", although the U.S. Constitution, while making the functions of the two houses different in various ways, does not use such language. Each state is represented in the House in accordance with the size of its population, with the proviso that each state is entitled to at least one Representative member. The total number of Representatives is fixed by law at 435, who each serve two-year terms. The presiding officer of the House is known as the Speaker.

Related Topics:
Congress of the United States - Senate - Lower house - Upper house - U.S. Constitution - State - Speaker

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The bicameral Congress arose from the desire of the Founding Fathers to create a "house of the people" that would closely resemble and follow public opinion, and a more deliberative, learned and reserved Senate which would be less susceptible to the frenzies of mass sentiment. The Constitution provides that the approval of both houses is necessary for the passage of legislation.

Related Topics:
Bicameral - Founding Fathers - Public opinion

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The House is generally considered a more partisan chamber than the Senate. Many of the Founding Fathers intended the Senate (originally elected by the state legislatures) to be a check on the popularly elected House, just as the House was to be a check on the Senate. The "advice and consent" powers (such as the power to approve treaties) were therefore granted to the Senate alone. The House was granted its own exclusive powers: the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach officials, and elect the President in electoral college deadlocks. However, the Senate can propose amendments to spending bills, tries impeached officials, and chooses the Vice President in an electoral college deadlock. The Senate and its members generally have greater prestige than the House and its members. Senators serve longer terms, are less numerous, and (in most cases) represent larger constituencies than members of the House.

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The chamber of the United States House of Representatives is located in the south wing of the Capitol building, in Washington, D.C., the national capital. The Senate convenes in the north wing of the same building.

Related Topics:
Capitol - Washington, D.C.

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