United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, commonly referred to as the "House," is the lower house of the bicameral United States Congress, the upper house being the United States Senate. The composition and powers of the House and the Senate are established in Article One of the Constitution (which does not use the terms "upper" and "lower"). Each state receives representation in the House in proportion to its population but is entitled to at least one Representative. The most populous state, California, currently has 53 representatives. The total number of voting representatives is currently fixed by law at 435.[1] Each representative serves for a two-year term. The presiding officer of the House is the speaker, and is elected by the members of the House.
The House was granted its own exclusive powers: the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach officials, and elect the president in Electoral College deadlocks.[2]
The House meets in the south wing of the United States Capitol.
References
- ↑ See Public Law 62-5 of 1911, though Congress has the authority to change that number
- ↑ Exclusive revenue bill initiation in Section 7, Article 1 of the Constitution; and "sole power of impeachment" in Section 2, Article 1; and the power to elect President if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes in Article 1, Section 2, and in the 12th Amendment.