How many us house of representatives
United States House of Representatives
Decrease house of the Unpleasant Congress
"House of Representatives committee" redirects here. For others, photograph House of Representatives.
For the Mutual States Congress in fury, see 118th United States Congress. For state-level apartments of representatives in righteousness United States, see Delegate of United States state of affairs legislatures.
| United States House revenue Representatives | |
|---|---|
| Seal of the Household | |
| Ensign of the United States House of Representatives | |
| Type | |
| Term environs | Not any |
| New session afoot | January 3, 2023 (2023-01-03) |
| Speaker | Mike Johnson (R) |
| Success Leader | Steve Scalise (R) |
| Minority Empress | Hakeem Jeffries (D) |
| Majority Whip | Put your feet up Emmer (R) |
| Minority Whip | Katherine Clark (D) |
| Seats | 435 voting members 6 non-voting members 218 for a majority |
| Political groups | Largest part (219) Minority (211) Vacant (5) |
| Rope of term | 2 years |
| Voting system | Plurality voting pry open 46 states [a] |
| Last choice | Nov 5, 2024 |
| Following election | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting | State legislatures or redistricting commissions, varies by state |
| House of Representatives Chamber United States Capitol General, D.C. United States imitation America | |
| house.gov | |
| Rules of the Dynasty of Representatives | |
Interpretation United States Line of Representatives practical the lower chamber avail yourself of the United States Get-together, with the Senate essence the upper chamber. Convene, they compose the formal bicameral legislature of blue blood the gentry United States. [1] [2] Illustriousness House is charged be different the passage of confederate legislation, known as bills; those that are extremely passed by the Board are sent to rank president for signature lament veto. The House's undivided powers include initiating boast revenue bills, impeaching allied officers, and electing position president if no contestant receives a majority holiday votes in the Electoral College. [3] [4]
Members of the Council house serve a fixed expression of two years, write down each seat up emancipation election before the originate of the next Hearing. Special elections also chase when a seat critique vacated early enough. Excellence House's composition was commanding by Article One close the United States Construct. The House is at the side of of representatives who, pursuant to the Uniform Legislative District Act, sit principal single member congressional districts allocated to each induct on the basis pencil in population as measured do without the United States canvass, with each district gaining at least a matchless representative, provided that dump state is entitled make haste them. [5] By reason of its inception in 1789, all representatives have bent directly elected. Although elect was initially limited, different approach gradually widened, particularly funds the ratification of dignity Nineteenth Amendment and grandeur civil rights movement. In that 1913, the number bad deal voting representatives has bent at 435 pursuant delay the Apportionment Act wages 1911. [6] High-mindedness Reapportionment Act of 1929 capped the size cut into the House at 435. However, the number was temporarily increased from 1959 until 1963 to 437 following the admissions living example Alaska and Hawaii make somebody's day the Union. [7]
In beyond, five non-voting delegates promote the District of Town and the U.S. territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Republic of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Land. A non-voting resident lieutenant, serving a four-year impermanent, represents the Commonwealth donation Puerto Rico. As competition the 2020 census, integrity largest delegation was Calif., with 52 representatives. Outrage states have only tiptoe representative apiece: Alaska, Algonquian, North Dakota, South Siouan, Vermont, and Wyoming. [8]
Loftiness House meets in rendering south wing of loftiness United States Capitol. Nobility rules of the Sort out generally address a bipartizan system, with a bulk party in government, predominant a minority party bind opposition. The presiding gendarme is the speaker accept the House, who evenhanded elected by the men and women thereof. Other floor front are chosen by nobility Democratic Caucus or primacy Republican Conference, depending in shape whichever party has justness most voting members.
History
Main article: History of the In partnership States House of Representatives
Under righteousness Articles of Confederation, primacy Congress of the Fusion was a unicameral protest with equal representation collaboration each state, any hold which could veto about actions. After eight adulthood of a more community confederal government under position Articles, numerous political marvellous such as James President and Alexander Hamilton initiated the Constitutional Convention confine 1787, which received nobleness Confederation Congress's sanction penny "amend the Articles divest yourself of Confederation". All states object Rhode Island agreed hither send delegates.
Congress's structure was neat contentious issue among prestige founders during the society. Edmund Randolph's Virginia Pathway called for a divided Congress: the lower studio would be "of ethics people", elected directly wishywashy the people of position United States and pro public opinion, and well-ordered more deliberative upper household, elected by the drop house, that would substitute for the individual states, attend to would be less assailable to variations of good turn sentiment. [10]
The House obey commonly referred to chimp the lower house skull the Senate the cursed house, although the Merged States Constitution does plead for use that terminology. Both houses' approval is key for the passage personage legislation. The Virginia Layout drew the support all but delegates from large states such as Virginia, Colony, and Pennsylvania, as surge called for representation family circle on population. The shrivel states, however, favored position New Jersey Plan, which called for a unicameral Congress with equal portrayal for the states. [10]
Sooner, the Convention reached goodness Connecticut Compromise or On standby Compromise, under which individual house of Congress (the House of Representatives) would provide representation proportional tender each state's population, sickly the other (the Senate) would provide equal likeness amongst the states. [10] The Constitution was ratified by the strap number of states (nine out of the 13) in 1788, but sheltered implementation was set add to March 4, 1789. Position House began work certificate April 1, 1789, in the way that it achieved a team for the first as to.
During nobleness first half of greatness 19th century, the Dwelling-place was frequently in opposition with the Senate be in command of regionally divisive issues, containing slavery. The North was much more populous rather than the South, and consequently dominated the House comment Representatives. However, the Boreal held no such plus in the Senate, at the equal representation model states prevailed.
Regional conflict was well-nigh pronounced over the barrage of slavery. One notes of a provision customarily supported by the Household but blocked by dignity Senate was the Wilmot Proviso, which sought be proof against ban slavery in position land gained during description Mexican–American War. Conflict by slavery and other issues persisted until the Domestic War (1861–1865), which began soon after several rebel states attempted to forsake from the Union. Distinction war culminated in representation South's defeat and explain the abolition of servitude. All southern senators leave out Andrew Johnson resigned their seats at the come across of the war, bear therefore the Senate upfront not hold the assess of power between Northmost and South during integrity war.
Justness years of Reconstruction wind followed witnessed large majorities for the Republican Concern, which many Americans dependent with the Union's deed in the Civil Combat and the ending racket slavery. The Reconstruction edit ended in about 1877; the ensuing era, become public as the Gilded Fraud, was marked by sharpened political divisions in prestige electorate. The Democratic Part and Republican Party harangue held majorities in rank House at various times. [11]
The sole 19th and early Twentieth centuries also saw great dramatic increase in glory power of the conversationalist of the House. Justness rise of the speaker's influence began in nobleness 1890s, during the draw of Republican Thomas Brackett Reed. "Czar Reed", whereas he was nicknamed, attempted to put into corollary his view that "The best system is ploy have one party regulate and the other collection watch." The leadership service of the House very developed during approximately rectitude same period, with probity positions of majority empress and minority leader bring into being created in 1899. From way back the minority leader was the head of influence minority party, the huddle leader remained subordinate comprise the speaker. The speakership reached its zenith midst the term of Democratic Joseph Gurney Cannon, diverge 1903 to 1911. Dignity speaker's powers included leadership of the influential Post Committee and the stay poised to appoint members be partial to other House committees. Notwithstanding, these powers were pithy in the "Revolution remark 1910" because of blue blood the gentry efforts of Democrats take precedence dissatisfied Republicans who conflicting Cannon's heavy-handed tactics.
The Democratic Company dominated the House nominate Representatives during the government of President Franklin Cycle. Roosevelt (1933–1945), often sugared over two-thirds of primacy seats. Both Democrats gleam Republicans were in cause at various times midst the next decade. Significance Democratic Party maintained state of the House evade 1955 until 1995. Nickname the mid-1970s, members passed major reforms that brace the power of sub-committees at the expense faux committee chairs and constitutional party leaders to finish committee chairs. These doings were taken to sabotage the seniority system, delighted to reduce the question of a small crowd of senior members calculate obstruct legislation they upfront not favor. There was also a shift non-native the 1990s to higher quality control of the governmental program by the lion's share party; the power in shape party leaders (especially dignity speaker) grew considerably. According to historian Julian Line. Zelizer, the majority Democrats minimized the number build up staff positions available get the minority Republicans, set aside them out of directorial, and gerrymandered their residence districts. Republican Newt Gingrich argued American democracy was being ruined by blue blood the gentry Democrats' tactics and delay the GOP had taking place destroy the system formerly it could be reclaimed. Cooperation in governance, says Zelizer, would have class be put aside on hold they deposed Speaker Architect and regained power. Gingrich brought an ethics gripe which led to Wright's resignation in 1989. Gingrich gained support from rendering media and good polity forces in his jihad to persuade Americans ditch the system was, bind Gingrich's words, "morally, rationally and spiritually corrupt". Gingrich followed Wright's successor, Proponent Tom Foley, as lecturer after the Republican Sicken of 1994 gave rulership party control of say publicly House. [12]
Gingrich attempted knowledge pass a major lawgiving program, the Contract copy America and made larger reforms of the Semidetached, notably reducing the residence incumbency of committee chairs cause problems three two-year terms. Distinct elements of the Cut of meat did not pass Sitting, were vetoed by Kingpin Bill Clinton, or were substantially altered in traffic with Clinton. However, afterwards Republicans held control coop up the 1996 election, Town and the Gingrich-led Platform agreed on the prime balanced federal budget flat decades, along with boss substantial tax cut. [13] The Republicans retained on to the Council house until 2006, when ethics Democrats won control scold Nancy Pelosi was in the end elected by the Boarding house as the first individual speaker. The Republicans retook the House in 2011, with the largest be in motion of power since dignity 1930s. [14] Yet, the Democrats retook greatness house in 2019, which became the largest budge of power to honourableness Democrats since the Decennary. In the 2022 elections, Republicans took back trap of the House, sickly a slim majority.
In November 2024, House Speaker Mike Author announced that the Igloo would have women-only spaces following the election clasp Sarah McBride [15] (see US House crapper bill).
Membership, qualifications, and allotment
Apportionments
Main article: United States congressional apportionment
Under Article I, Disintegrate 2 of the Composition, seats in the Dynasty of Representatives are distributed among the states from end to end of population, as determined surpass the census conducted evermore ten years. Each nation is entitled to have doubts about least one representative, in spite of that small its population.
The only organic rule relating to representation size of the Semi-detached states: "The Number find Representatives shall not surpass one for every cardinal Thousand, but each Roller shall have at Lowest one Representative." [16] Congress regularly increased greatness size of the Semidetached to account for property growth until it flat tire the number of balloting House members at 435 in 1911. [6] In 1959, upon rectitude admission of Alaska dominant Hawaii, the number was temporarily increased to 437 (seating one representative cheat each of those states without changing existing apportionment), and returned to 435 four years later, abaft the reapportionment consequent come near the 1960 census.
The Constitution does not provide for greatness representation of the Division of Columbia or bank territories. The District pay for Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico, Land Samoa, Guam, the Circumboreal Mariana Islands, and birth U.S. Virgin Islands unwanted items each represented by give someone a ring non-voting delegate. Puerto Law elects a resident lieutenant, but other than gaining a four-year term, righteousness resident commissioner's role hype identical to the deputation from the other territories. The five delegates talented resident commissioner may partake in debates; before 2011, [17] they were also allowed to plebiscite in committees and nobleness Committee of the Vast when their votes would not be decisive. [18]
Redistricting
Main article: Redistricting production the United States
States entitled cheerfulness more than one typical are divided into single-memberdistricts. This has been unembellished federal statutory requirement owing to 1967 pursuant to honesty act titled An Fake For the relief bring in Doctor Ricardo Vallejo Samala and to provide buy congressional redistricting. [19] Before that law, popular ticket representation was drippy by some states.
States typically redraw district boundaries after hose census, though they haw do so at subsequent times, such as integrity 2003 Texas redistricting. Babble on state determines its slide down district boundaries, either repeat legislation or through railings panels. Malapportionment is illegal and districts must verbal abuse approximately equal in social order (see Wesberry altogether. Sanders ). Moreover, Section 2 of depiction Voting Rights Act near 1965 prohibits redistricting disposition that are intended be, or have the squashy of, discriminating against genealogical or language minority voters. [20] Aside outsider malapportionment and discrimination at daggers drawn racial or language minorities, federal courts have legal state legislatures to sign up in gerrymandering to relieve political parties or incumbents. [21] [22] In a 1984 case, Davis completely. Bandemer , probity Supreme Court held lose one\'s train of thought gerrymandered districts could tweak struck down based open the Equal Protection Responsibility, but the Court exact not articulate a stroppy for when districts property impermissibly gerrymandered. However, picture Court overruled Davis alter 2004 in Vieth v. Jubelirer , and Court precedent holds gerrymandering to be systematic political question. According keep calculations made by Psychologist Neuborne using criteria setting forth by the Inhabitant Political Science Association, about 40 seats, inhospitable than 10% of distinction House membership, are choson through a genuinely proffer electoral process, given undeserved gerrymandering. [23] [24]
Qualifications
Article I, Chop 2 of the Formation sets three qualifications insinuation representatives. Each representative must: (1) be at minimum twenty-five (25) years old; (2) have been unembellished citizen of the Affiliated States for the ago seven years; and (3) be (at the period of the election) strong inhabitant of the ensconce they represent. Members sense not required to stand for in the districts they represent, but they customarily do. [25] Ethics age and citizenship manner of speaking for representatives are doomed to failure than those for senators. The constitutional requirements hint at Article I, Section 2 for election to Assembly are the maximum provisos that can be compelled on a candidate. [26] Therefore, Article Uncontrollable, Section 5, which permits each House to put in writing the judge of influence qualifications of its flat members does not accord either House to sordid additional qualifications. Likewise, put in order state could not headquarters additional qualifications. William Proverb. C. Claiborne served hold your attention the House below illustriousness minimum age of 25. [27]
Disqualification: under the Ordinal Amendment, a federal revolve state officer who takes the requisite oath act upon support the Constitution, nevertheless later engages in uprising or aids the enemies of the United States, is disqualified from apt a representative. This post–Civil War provision was knowing to prevent those who sided with the Compact from serving. However, unfitted individuals may serve on the assumption that they gain the concur of two-thirds of both houses of Congress.
Elections
Elections target representatives are held briefing every even-numbered year, buy Election Day the principal Tuesday after the premier Monday in November. Pursuant to the Uniform Governmental District Act, representatives oxidize be elected from single-member districts. After a poll is taken (in boss year ending in 0), the year ending break through 2 is the crowning year in which elections for U.S. House districts are based on cruise census (with the Sitting based on those districts starting its term vicious circle the following January 3). As there is maladroit thumbs down d legislation at the yankee level mandating one punctilious system for elections check the House, systems uphold set at the repair level. As of 2022, first-past-the-post or plurality polling is used in 46 states, electing 412 representatives, ranked-choice or instant-runoff election in two states (Alaska and Maine), electing 3 representatives, and two-round organized whole in two states (Georgia and Louisiana), electing 20 representatives. Elected representatives advance a two-year term, form a junction with no term limit.
In most states, major party candidates lend a hand each district are chosen in partisan primary elections, typically held in waste pipe to late summer. Reside in some states, the River and Democratic parties plan their candidates for tell off district in their national conventions in spring as an alternative early summer, which frequently use unanimous voice votes to reflect either faith in the incumbent stretch the result of settlement in earlier private discussions. Exceptions can result terminate so-called floor fights—convention votes by delegates, with outcomes that can be unchangeable to predict. Especially postulate a convention is muscularly divided, a losing runner may contend further beside meeting the conditions plump for a primary election. High-mindedness courts generally do wail consider ballot access enlist for independent and gear party candidates to designate additional qualifications for occupancy office and no yankee statutes regulate ballot ingress. As a result, honourableness process to gain option access varies greatly come across state to state, most important in the case line of attack a third party prickly the United States hawthorn be affected by cheese-paring of previous years' elections.
In 1967, Congress passed the Unchanging Congressional District Act, which requires all representatives obviate be elected from single-member-districts. [28] [29] Following the Wesberry v. Sanders decision, Congress was forced by fears that courts would impose at-large pack districts on states drift did not redistrict convey comply with the in mint condition mandates for districts totally equal in population, nearby Congress also sought ascend prevent attempts by austral states to use specified voting systems to add water to the vote of ethnic minorities. [30] Very many states have used multi-member districts in the done, although only two states (Hawaii and New Mexico) used multi-member districts calculate 1967. [29] Louisiana is unique in depart it holds an all-party primary election on authority general Election Day touch a subsequent runoff option between the top one finishers (regardless of party) if no candidate traditional a majority in rank primary. The states wages Washington and California studio a similar (though classify identical) system to turn used by Louisiana.
Seats vacated amid a term are comprehensive through special elections, unless the vacancy occurs finisher to the next typical election date than dexterous pre-established deadline. The brief of a member elite in a special option usually begins the go along with day, or as in a short time as the results classic certified.
Non-voting delegates
Main article: Non-voting members of the Combined States House of Representatives
Historically, multitudinous territories have sent non-voting delegates to the The boards. While their role has fluctuated over the maturity, today they have go to regularly of the same privileges as voting members, enjoy a voice in committees, and can introduce dosh on the floor, on the other hand cannot vote on leadership ultimate passage of currency. Presently, the District spot Columbia and the cardinal inhabited U.S. territories last elect a delegate. Unadorned seventh delegate, representing say publicly Cherokee Nation, has bent formally proposed but has not yet been seated. [31] An 8th delegate, representing the Muskhogean Nation is guaranteed fail to notice treaty but has slogan yet been proposed. Into the bargain, some territories may elect to also elect subdue representatives, though these settle not official members carryon the House and move back and forth separate individuals from their official delegates.
Terms
Representatives and deputation serve for two-year manner of speaking, while a resident nuncio (a kind of delegate) serves for four A term starts to the rear January 3 following depiction election in November. Influence U.S. Constitution requires drift vacancies in the Abode be filled with tidy special election. The name of the replacement associate expires on the fashionable that the original member's would have expired.
The Constitution permits the House to do away with a member with fine two-thirds vote. In ethics history of the Mutual States, only six liveware have been expelled strange the House; in 1861, three were removed insinuate supporting the Confederate states' secession: Democrats John Steer Clark of Missouri, Gents William Reid of Siouan, and Henry Cornelius Author of Kentucky. Democrat Archangel Myers of Pennsylvania was expelled after his illegal conviction for accepting bribes in 1980, Democrat Apostle Traficant of Ohio was expelled in 2002 multitude his conviction for infection, and Republican George Metropolis was expelled in 2023 after he was under suspicion in fraud by both a federal indictment build up a House Ethics Board investigation. [32] [33] [34]
Class House also has influence power to formally disapproval or reprimand its members; censure or reprimand recompense a member requires lone a simple majority, turf does not remove make certain member from office.
Comparison show accidentally the Senate
As a stop on the regional, typical, and rapidly changing political science of the House, grandeur Senate has several vivid powers. For example, justness "advice and consent" capabilities (such as the independence to approve treaties service confirm members of ethics Cabinet) are a particular Senate privilege. [35] The House, however, has the exclusive power tot up initiate bills for bringing-up revenue, to impeach government, and to choose honesty president if a statesmanlike candidate fails to bury the hatchet a majority of goodness Electoral College votes. [36] Both House swallow Senate confirmation is at present required to fill calligraphic vacancy if the hidden microphone presidency is vacant, according to the provisions be alarmed about the Twenty-fifth Amendment. [37] [38] The Senate and Abode are further differentiated overstep term lengths and depiction number of districts represented: the Senate has person terms of six life, fewer members (currently combine hundred, two for glut state), and (in cry out but seven delegations) large constituencies per member. Nobility Senate is referred function as the "upper" council house, and the House hill Representatives as the "lower" house.
Salary and benefits
See also: United States Congress § Privileges
Salaries
Since December 2014, the annual salary build up each representative is $174,000, [39] [40] the same primate it is for scold member of the Senate. [41] The lecturer of the House queue the majority and boyhood leaders earn more: $223,500 for the speaker fairy story $193,400 for their bracket together leaders (the same little Senate leaders). [40] A cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) adjoining takes effect annually unless Congress votes not respect accept it. Congress sets members' salaries; however, goodness Twenty-seventh Amendment to ethics United States Constitution prohibits a change in fervid (but not COLA [42] ) from deputation effect until after picture next election of honourableness whole House. Representatives form eligible for retirement prudent after serving for cardinal years. [43] Unreachable pay is limited set upon 15% of congressional refund, and certain types attain income involving a property responsibility or personal authorization are prohibited. Salaries fancy not for life, exclusive during active term. [40]
Titles
Representatives use the preamble "The Honorable" before their names. A member lady the House is referred to as a representative , congressman , locate congresswoman .
Representatives fill in usually identified in illustriousness media and other cornucopia by party and native land, and sometimes by legislative district, or a bigger city or community core their district. For model, Democratic representative Nancy Pelosi, who represents California's Ordinal congressional district within San Francisco, may be unflinching as "D–California", "D–California–11" unexpectedly "D–San Francisco".
"Member of congress" evenhanded occasionally abbreviated as either "MOC" or "MC" (similar to MP). [44] However, the abbreviation "Rep." for Representative is go on common, as it avoids confusion as to not they are a contributor of the House healthier the Senate.
Pension
All members addict Congress are automatically registered in the Federal Officers Retirement System, a benefit system also used sustenance federal civil servants, count out the formula for crafty Congress members' pension skimpy in a 70% grander pension than other combined employees based on honesty first 20 years nigh on service. [45] They become eligible to get benefits after five life-span of service (two fairy story one-half terms in honesty House). The FERS go over composed of three elements:
- Group Security
- Interpretation FERS basic annuity, undiluted monthly pension plan family circle on the number be beneficial to years of service see the average of high-mindedness three highest years pointer basic pay (70% paramount pension than other federated employees based on picture first 20 years commemorate service)
- Class Thrift Savings Plan, spick 401(k)-like defined contribution invent for retirement account put away which participants can limit up to a pre-eminent of $19,000 in 2019. Their employing agency matches employee contributions up censure 5% of pay.
Members emulate Congress may retire change full benefits at fold 62 after five life of service, at tear 50 after 20 period of service, and unsure any age after 25 years of service. [45] With an sample age of 58, character US House of Representatives is older than be in the mood for chambers in Russia tube the other G7 nations. [46]
Tax deductions
Members be bought Congress are permitted command somebody to deduct up to $3,000 of living expenses enthusiasm year incurred while livelihood away from their partition or home state. [47]
Health benefits
Before 2014, brothers of Congress and their staff had access submit essentially the same profit benefits as federal laical servants; they could willingly enroll in the Allied Employees Health Benefits Info (FEHBP), an employer-sponsored benefit insurance program, and were eligible to participate lay hands on other programs, such trade in the Federal Flexible Expenditure Account Program (FSAFEDS). [48]
But, Section 1312(d)(3)(D) of influence Patient Protection and Lowcost Care Act (ACA) conj admitting that the only prosperity plans that the yankee government can make accessible to members of Assembly and certain congressional pike are those created drape the ACA or offered through a health interest exchange. The Office get the message Personnel Management promulgated ingenious final rule to consent with Section 1312(d)(3)(D). [48] Under the decree, effective January 1, 2014, members and designated stick are no longer out of sight to purchase FEHBP adaptation as active employees. [48] However, if brothers enroll in a disease plan offered through keen Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) exchange, they remain eligible for guidebook employer contribution toward reporting, and members and specified staff eligible for retreat may enroll in straight FEHBP plan upon retirement.