5-19 House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is comprised of representatives from each state or territory.  The number of representatives each state has is based on the number of people, or population, in the state.  There is one representative for every 500,000 people.  If a state has a population of 3 million people, that state would be able to send 6 representatives to Washington D.C.  The number of representatives in the House of Representatives will vary with the population.  To find out how many people are in a state, the government conducts a U.S. Census every ten years.  The first census was conducted in 1790.  As of this writing, there are 434 representatives in the House of Representatives.

The term of office for a representative is two years.  A representative must be reelected every two years to stay in office.  The number of representatives a state sends may be one, as is the case in Montana, or as large as 52, as is the case in California.  Representation is based on the population of the state.

A representative must be at least 25 years old, must be a citizen of the United States, and must live in the state from which he or she is elected.

The House of Representatives has a leader called the Speaker of the House.   The Speaker of the House conducts the meetings of the House of Representatives.  The Speaker of the House is elected by the members of the House and is usually from the majority party (i.e. Republican, Democratic, or Independent).  The Speaker of the House is the second in line to take over the presidency after the Vice President if there should be an emergency.

The House of Representatives has the power to conduct an impeachment proceedings against a government official.  Impeachment means to accuse  someone of wrong doing or a misuse of power.  The House begins the process of accusing the government official of wrong doing, but the trial is carried out in the Senate.

Complete the questions below.

The House of Representatives is comprised of from each state or territory.

There is one representative for every people.

To find out how many people are in a state, the government conducts a U.S. every ten years.

The first census was conducted in .

The term of office for a representative is years.

A representative must be at least years old and must be a citizen of the .

The House of Representatives has a leader called the of the House.

The Speaker of the House is elected by the of the House and is usually from the majority party

The House of Representatives has the power to conduct an proceedings against a government official.

The House begins the process of accusing the government official of wrong doing, but the trial is carried out in the .