The House of Representatives plays an important role in the United States Government. Its job was given by the Founding Fathers of the United States during the Philadelphia Convention in May of 1787 when our current Government was created.
The Three Branches of Government
The signing of the ConstitutionOil on Canvas, Howard Chandler Christy, 1940, Architect of the Capitol
During the Philadelphia Convention, it was decided that the United States Government should have three branches. The three branches would keep each other balanced so that one branch did not become too powerful. All Americans have equal and fair representation through the three branches:
- Legislative: The Congress
The legislative branch makes the laws of the United States, controls all of the money, and has the power to declare war. - Executive: The President and Vice President
The executive branch enforces the laws of the United States, spends money as allowed by Congress, declares states of emergency, appoints Judges to the Supreme Court, and grants pardons for crimes. - Judicial: The Supreme Court
The judicial branch interprets laws, judges when a law is unconstitutional, and makes arrangements for prisoners.
To be sure that one branch does not become more powerful than the others, the Government has a system called checks and balances. Through this system, each branch is given power to check on the other two branches. The President has the power to veto a bill sent from Congress, which would stop it from becoming a law. Congress has the power to impeach Supreme Court Judges or Presidents. The Supreme Court has the power to overturn a law that they believe is unconstitutional.
The Legislative Branch
Congress meets at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress have offices in buildings that are attached to the Capitol and visit the Capitol for meetings and legislative sessions. See if you can help A.Bill get from his office to the Capitol to vote on a law by trying the Capitol Maze!
During the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, participants from large states wanted the number of representatives in Congress based on the number of citizens in the state—so the more citizens the more representatives. Participants from small states were worried they would have no power and wanted an equal number of representatives from each state. To be sure everyone had equal representation and power it was decided that the Congress would have two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The two houses work together to pass laws.
The Senate
The Senate has 100 members—2 Senators from each state, regardless of its size. Senators serve 6 year terms and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives has 435 voting Members, five Delegates, and one Resident Commissioner. Members and Delegates each serve a two year term while Resident Commissioners serve for four years. The number of Representatives from each state is based on the state’s population. Each state has at least one Representative.
By separating the two branches of Congress, Americans are guaranteed equal representation. The houses work together to pass laws that are then enforced by the Executive Branch and overseen by the Judicial Branch.
The House of Representatives is full of traditions and artifacts. You can see what the oldest artifact—the coin silver inkstand—looks like by printing out the Relic Connect the Dots!
I am an expert in U.S. government and political systems with a deep understanding of the constitutional framework and the historical context that shaped it. My knowledge extends to the Founding Fathers' intentions during the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 and the establishment of the three branches of government. To demonstrate my expertise, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about the House of Representatives and the U.S. government.
The article highlights the crucial role of the House of Representatives within the U.S. government, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. The Three Branches of Government—Legislative, Executive, and Judicial—were established to maintain a balance of power and prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful. Here's a breakdown of the information provided:
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Legislative Branch (Congress):
- Makes laws for the United States.
- Controls the nation's finances.
- Has the power to declare war.
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Executive Branch (President and Vice President):
- Enforces the laws.
- Manages government spending as authorized by Congress.
- Declares states of emergency.
- Appoints Judges to the Supreme Court.
- Grants pardons for crimes.
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Judicial Branch (Supreme Court):
- Interprets laws.
- Determines the constitutionality of laws.
- Makes arrangements for prisoners.
To maintain a system of checks and balances, each branch has the power to check on the other two branches. For example, the President can veto a bill from Congress, Congress can impeach Supreme Court Judges or Presidents, and the Supreme Court can overturn laws deemed unconstitutional.
The Legislative Branch is further divided into two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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Senate:
- Comprises 100 members (2 Senators from each state).
- Senators serve 6-year terms with no term limits.
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House of Representatives:
- Consists of 435 voting Members, five Delegates, and one Resident Commissioner.
- Members and Delegates serve two-year terms, while Resident Commissioners serve four-year terms.
- The number of Representatives from each state is based on the state's population, ensuring equal representation.
The article also mentions the historical context of the Philadelphia Convention, where the debate over representation led to the decision to have two houses in Congress, addressing concerns from both large and small states.
This comprehensive structure ensures that laws are passed through collaboration between the two houses of Congress and are subsequently enforced by the Executive Branch, with oversight from the Judicial Branch.
If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to let me know.
