Question

Discuss the organisation of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Examine the composition of the House of Representatives.

What is the composition of the House of Representatives of the U.S.A.?

Answer 1

1. Composition: The 435-member House of Representatives is directly chosen by the American people. The legislation sets this amount as sufficient to represent Americans fairly. Every state must have at least one representative, even if its population is below 30,000, according to the U.S. Constitution. State seats are distributed by population using the decennial (10 year) census. Representatives can serve an unlimited number of two-year terms. The House directly represents the people due to proportional representation.
2. Qualifications for Membership: Membership requirements include being a citizen of the United States, being at least 25 years old, and having lived in the country for at least 7 years. They must live in the electoral district they represent, hold no profit-making positions, and be free of treason, sedition, or felony charges.
3. Method of Election: Members are elected via universal adult suffrage (18+) from single-member constituencies using a simple majority vote system.
4. Eligibility to Vote: Since the 26th Amendment, people aged 18 and up, male and female, are eligible to vote. Previously, the voting age was 21.
5. Privileges and Immunities: Members are not arrested during sessions (unless for criminal offenses) and have the right to free speech and discussion in the House, which cannot be contested in court.
6. Tenure: Members are chosen for two-year terms, and the House cannot be dissolved before the end of the whole term. Members can be re-elected an unlimited number of times.
7. Sessions of the House: The House’s 20th Amendment requires that meetings begin on January 3rd of each year. In an emergency, the President can call for a special session, but once convened, Congress decides when to adjourn.
8. Quorum: The House’s meetings require a quorum of 218 members.