The American House of Representatives
What is the House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives is one part of the American government. It is also called “the House” for short. The House is where elected officials make laws for the United States.
The United States has a system with three branches (parts) of government:
- Legislative branch: Makes laws (includes the House)
- Executive branch: Leads the country (the President)
- Judicial branch: Explains laws (the courts)
The Two Parts of Congress
The House of Representatives works with another group called the Senate. Together, they form Congress. Congress is the legislative branch of government.
Think of it like this:
- Congress = House of Representatives + Senate
- Both groups must agree to make a new law
History of the House
When It Started
The House of Representatives began in 1789. The founders of America created it when they wrote the Constitution (the main law document of the United States).
Why They Created It
The founders wanted ordinary people to have a voice in government. They believed that citizens should choose their own representatives. These representatives would speak for the people and make laws that help them.
The House was designed to be “the people’s house” because:
- Representatives serve short terms (2 years)
- They must live in the area they represent
- All citizens can vote for them
How the House Works Today
Number of Representatives
The House has 435 members. This number has stayed the same since 1913, but it wasn’t always this way. In the beginning, there were only 65 representatives.
How Representatives Are Chosen
Each state (there are 50 states in America) sends representatives to the House. The number depends on how many people live in each state.
For example:
- California has about 40 million people, so it sends 52 representatives
- Wyoming has about 600,000 people, so it sends 1 representative
This system is called proportional representation. States with more people get more representatives.
Election Process
- Citizens vote for representatives every 2 years
- Representatives must be at least 25 years old
- They must be American citizens for at least 7 years
- They must live in the state they represent
Districts
Each representative comes from a specific area called a district. Districts are drawn so that each one has about the same number of people (around 760,000 people per district).
Important Jobs of the House
Making Laws
The main job of the House is to write and vote on bills (ideas for new laws). Here’s how it works:
- A representative writes a bill
- A committee (small group) studies the bill
- The whole House debates and votes
- If it passes, it goes to the Senate
- If the Senate also passes it, it goes to the President
- The President signs it to make it a law
Special Powers
The House has some special powers that the Senate does not have:
Money Bills: All bills about taxes and government spending must start in the House. This means the House controls how the government gets and spends money.
Impeachment: The House can impeach (formally accuse) the President or other government officials if they break the law. This is like charging someone with a crime in court.
Choosing the President: If no candidate wins enough votes in a presidential election, the House chooses the President. This has happened only twice in American history (1800 and 1824).
Leadership in the House
Speaker of the House
The Speaker is the leader of the House. Representatives choose the Speaker from their own group. The Speaker:
- Controls when people can speak during debates
- Decides which bills get voted on
- Represents the House in meetings with other parts of government
The Speaker is very powerful and is third in line to become President if something happens to the President and Vice President.
Political Parties
Representatives belong to political parties (groups with similar ideas about government). The two main parties are:
- Democratic Party
- Republican Party
The party with more representatives is called the majority party. The other party is the minority party. The majority party chooses the Speaker and controls most decisions.
Why the House is Important
Representation of the People
The House makes sure that all Americans have a voice in their government. Because representatives serve short terms, they must listen to voters or risk losing their jobs.
Balance of Power
The House helps balance power in the government. No single person or group can make all the decisions. The House, Senate, and President must work together.
Local Needs
Representatives know the needs of their local areas. They bring these concerns to the national government. For example, a representative from a farming area might work on laws to help farmers.
Accountability
Because elections happen every 2 years, representatives must explain their actions to voters regularly. This keeps them accountable (responsible) to the people.
How Representatives Help Their Communities
Representatives do more than just vote on laws. They also:
- Help citizens with problems involving government services
- Bring federal money to their districts for projects like roads and schools
- Meet with local groups to understand community needs
- Explain government policies to people in their districts
The House in the Modern World
Challenges Today
The House faces several challenges in modern times:
- Partisan politics: The two parties often disagree strongly, making it hard to pass laws
- Media attention: Representatives must deal with constant news coverage and social media
- Complex issues: Modern problems like technology and climate change require difficult decisions
Technology and Communication
Today’s House uses technology to:
- Broadcast debates on television and the internet
- Communicate with voters through websites and social media
- Research issues quickly with online resources
- Vote electronically in some cases
Conclusion
The House of Representatives is a cornerstone of American democracy. For over 230 years, it has given ordinary citizens a direct voice in their government. Through regular elections and local representation, the House ensures that the government stays connected to the people it serves.
Understanding the House helps us understand how democracy works. It shows us that in a free society, the power to make laws comes from the people through their elected representatives.
Whether you are learning about American government for citizenship, education, or personal interest, remember that the House of Representatives exists to serve the people – and that includes everyone who calls America home.
Key Vocabulary
- Representative: A person chosen to speak and act for others
- Constitution: The main law document of the United States
- District: A specific area that elects one representative
- Bill: An idea for a new law
- Impeachment: Formally accusing a government official of wrongdoing
- Majority: The larger group (more than half)
- Accountable: Being responsible for your actions
About the Author
