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US House of Representatives Facts for kids: FAQ's Questions about the US House of Representatives Answers about the US House of RepresentativesWhen does the US House of Representatives meet? The Constitution requires an annual meeting which, since the passage of the 20th Amendment in 1933, begins on January 3 each year.What are the qualifications of the US House of Representatives? The qualifications and eligibility of members are that they reside in a state, the minimum length of Citizenship is 7 years and the minimum age for members is 35 years oldWhat are the powers of the US House of Representatives? The US House of Representatives has the power to propose all tax bills and the power to impeach a federal official.Who is the leader of the US House of Representatives? The leader of the US House of Representatives is the SpeakerWhere does the US House of Representatives meet? Members meet in the House of Representatives chamber in the US Capital Building in Washington, D.C.US House of Representatives Facts for kids: US House of Representatives US House of Representatives: Legislative Branch US House of Representatives: Congress US House of Representatives: The Committees United States Constitution
The US Capitol Legislative Branch of Government US House of Representatives Facts for kids US House of Representatives Facts for kids Fact 1: A Member of the US House of Representatives is referred to as a congressman or a congresswoman Fact 2: The House of Representatives and the Senate work in parallel to pass, repeal (cancel) and amend laws. Fact 3: Congress has 535 voting members: 435 Representatives and 100 Senators Fact 4: The House of Representatives is the larger chamber. Each state has a number of representatives proportional to its population. There are 435 members elected from throughout the country Fact 5: Congressmen and Congresswomen serve in office for two years and can be re-elected as many times as the people require Fact 6: The Constitution requires a census to be taken every 10 years. If a state's population increases, that state's number of representatives can increase too. Fact 7: Qualifications: The qualifications and eligibility are that Candidates must be state residents. The Minimum Length of Citizenship to be eligible for the Senate is 7 years and the minimum age of Congressmen and Congresswomen is 25 years old Fact 8: Congressional Record: The proceedings of each house are recorded in the Congressional Record Fact 9: The Legislative Process: Only a member of Congress may introduce a bill. The Bills are referred to an appropriate committee. Fact 10: If the committee approves a bill, it is sent on to the Senate or the full House which then debates and votes on the bill. If the bill is passed it goes to the President who signs the bill into law. Fact 11: President's Veto: If a bill is vetoed (refused) by the President, it goes back to Congress, who can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses. Fact 12: The two houses in Congress have an equal voice in legislation but both the Senate and the House of Representatives have unique powers Fact 13: Unique Powers: The US House of Representatives has the power to propose all tax bills and the power to impeach a federal official. Fact 14: The Budget: Congress has the "power of the purse" and must approve all government spending and appropriate the amount of money to be spent, called Appropriation Bills Fact 15: Political Parties: The dominant political parties in the United States are the Democratic Political Party and the Republican Political Party Fact 16: Both sections of Congress have a majority party, which holds more than half of the seats, and a minority party, which holds less than half the seats Fact 17: Whips: Whips exist in both the chambers for each political party. The Whips make sure that Congressmen and Congresswomen are present for important votes and result in the desired outcome for their party on major issues Fact 18: Unlike the Senate the US House of Representatives does not permit unlimited debate. Before a bill goes to the floor for debate, it must go through the House Rules Committee, which passes a rule to determine how much debate is permitted and how many amendments to the bill can be proposed. Fact 19: Open and Closed Rules: A closed rule limits or forbids any amendments. An open rule allows for anyone to propose amendments. Fact 20: The leader of the US House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House is second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President Fact 21: The Speaker of the US House of Representatives is elected by the majority party (the Democratic Party Caucus or the Republican Party Caucus, depending on which party controls the House) Fact 22: Caucuses: At the start of each congress, the political parties meet in a caucus, which means an informal meeting of people with shared interests. The Caucuses are important when formulating bills and rallying support US House of Representatives Facts for kids |