Electing Lawmakers
Members of the House of Representatives work within the political arena of Washington DC to represent the men, women, and families “back home” in their state districts. They spend years building relationships and strengthening their influence with other politicians and businessmen that allows them to create employment opportunities and secure funding for the communities within their district.
The primary role of a member of the House is to create laws that benefit his or her constituents. New legislation means months and possibly even years of committee work, debate, compromising on amendments, and then rallying votes in the House and Senate.
The 435 members of the House are elected or re-elected within their state districts every two years. The number of representatives each state has in the House could shift as districts are reapportioned every 10 years with data provided by the U.S. Census.
The House of Representatives is the branch of Congress that empowers the American people to directly influence the legislative process; one representative = one vote
Creating New Laws
The primary role of a member of the House is to create laws. New legislation is a result of months and possibly even years of committee work, debate, compromising on amendments, and then rallying votes in the House and Senate.
A new law is first assigned to a committee or a subcommittee within the House where lawmakers carefully research and write it, taking into consideration how the legislation could be opposed or challenged by other members of the House, or by the Senate and the President. Hearings take place during which representatives have the opportunity to subpoena witnesses and question experts, and they could talk with other lawmakers about ways to eliminate obstacles prior to the new law being placed up for a vote.
House Committees
Each member of the House serves on one or two committees and sub-committees focused on a specific part of the federal government. Besides passing new legislation, committee members are responsible for oversight of the agencies and programs within their jurisdiction, monitoring projects and approving funding.
There are standing committees that are a permanent part of the House, joint committees with members of the House and Senate working together, and select committees that adjourn when their task is complete.
At the start of a new Congress, the House elects representatives to these key leadership positions:
The Speaker is elected from the majority party. He or she is responsible for assigning representatives to the standing and joint committees within the House, and is present during House sessions, counting votes and signing the new legislation that is passed on to the Senate for a vote. The Speaker is second in the line of succession to the presidency
Next are the majority and minority party leaders. The leader of the majority party manages the legislative calendar by assigning new bills or resolutions to House committees, scheduling debates, and determining when votes will take place
The function of the “whips” is to assist the party leaders by organizing the large group of legislators and communicating the party’s position on legislation being voted on
Exclusive Powers
Representatives of the House work closely with the Senate to fulfill the duties of Congress that are detailed in Article I of the Constitution. These joint responsibilities include passing laws, creating taxes, regulating international trade, maintaining the country’s roads, bridges, and railways, and funding the military.
The House of Representatives has its own exclusive powers as well:
- Both the House and the Senate can create new legislation, but laws that raise revenue for the federal government originate in the House
- Impeachment proceedings are under House control, with a 2/3 vote of the Senate to remove the government official from office
- When tallying votes during a presidential election, if a tie occurs within the Electoral College the House determines the candidate for president