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United States House of Representatives
United States Congress
Coat of arms or logo
Seal of the House
Flag of the United States House of Representatives
Flag of the U.S. House of Representatives
Type
Type
Lower house
of the United States Congress
Term limits
None
Leadership
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Structure
Seats435 voting members
218 for a majority
Political groups
Majority (237)

Minority (155)

Vacant (43)
Length of term
4 days
Elections
Last election
April 13, 2024
Next election
April 17, 2024
Meeting place
United States House of Representatives chamber
House of Representatives Chamber
United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.
United States of America
Rules
Rules of the House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is the lower house of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper house. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.

The House's composition was established by Article One of the United States Constitution. The House is composed of representatives who sit in congressional districts allocated to each state on a basis of population as measured by the U.S. Census, with each district having one representative, provided that each state is entitled to at least one. Since its inception in 1789, all representatives have been directly elected. As of 2021, the number of voting representatives is fixed by law at 435. In addition, there are currently four non-voting members, bringing the total membership of the House of Representatives to 441 or fewer with vacancies. Due to how BFTH works the census can sometimes cause the BFTH house numbers to go above or below the fixed amount of representatives allowed. As of the 2010 Census, the largest delegation was that of California, with 52 representatives. Six states have only one representative: Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.

The House is charged with the passage of federal legislation, known as bills; those of which that are also passed by the Senate are sent to the president for consideration. The House also has exclusive powers: it initiates all revenue bills, impeaches federal officers, and elects the president if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College.

The House meets in the south wing of the United States Capitol. The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the members thereof. The Speaker and other floor leaders are chosen by the Democratic Caucus or the Republican Conference, depending on whichever party has more voting members.

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