Introduction

branchesThe United states spent eight long years of drastic fighting for independence from 1775 to 1783. By 1789, the Founding Fathers had set about amalgam a authorities "congenital on the cardinal conviction of revolutionary-era republicanism: that no primal say-so empowered to coerce or discipline the citizenry was permissible , since information technology merely duplicated the monarchical and aloof principles that the American Revolution had been fought to escape. The Us is now the oldest enduring republic in world history, with a set of political institutions and traditions that accept stood the exam of time."

According to Firm.gov , "To ensure a separation of powers, the U.S. Federal Regime is made up of 3 branches: legislative, executive and judicial. To ensure the government is constructive and citizens' rights are protected, each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, including working with the other branches." This is often referred to as " checks and balances ," and prevents any i office of authorities from wielding as well much political power.

Why it Matters

America benefits from a judicial branch positioned to halt executive co-operative overreach. The President of the U.s.a. cannot stay in power indefinitely and is unable to force the U.Due south. Congress to pass laws. From the very get-go, and nonetheless to today, the American people accept access to and influence over their elected representatives.

The Business firm of Representatives most directly reflects the desires of the American public due to the ratio of American citizens to U.S. Representatives and the abiding election cycle every two years. Much of the deadlock of the U.Due south. government that we witness today reflects a divided American people.

This brief focuses on the Legislative branch of the U.Southward. regime, in particular the House of Representatives, including the basics and bolts of how its inner workings, and how everyday citizens tin influence the legislative process. For a cursory on the U.S. Senate, click here .

Relieve Salvage

What is the Legislative Branch?

The legislative branch is made up of the Firm of Representatives and the Senate , known collectively as the Congress. Among other powers, the legislative branch "makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies."

CrashCourse U.S. Government and Politics, produced in collaboration with PBS, explains the Bicameral Congress (nine min):

Of all federal government institutions, the Firm of Representatives is designed to be closest to American voters, most closely reflecting the individual cares and concerns of American taxpayers. In fact, the Business firm is the only establishment that has been straight elected by American voters since its formation in 1789.

"'If proportional representation takes place, the small States contend that their liberties will be in danger. If an equality of votes is to be put in its place, the big States say their coin volition exist in danger,'" explained Benjamin Franklin . What somewhen "emerged from weeks of stalemate was called the 'Swell Compromise' and created a bicameral legislature with a House, where membership was determined by state population, and a Senate, where each state had two seats regardless of population."

Size and Structure of the Business firm

There are 435 representatives in the House , and have been since the number was fixed by law in 1911. Each House representative is elected to a ii-year term serving the people of a specific congressional district in a country. "Each country receives representation in the House in proportion to the size of its population but is entitled to at to the lowest degree one representative." This ways that states with large populations take more representatives than small states accept. Representation based on population was "one of the most important components of the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787," every bit one of the founders' greatest concerns was designing a organization of government that would meliorate stand for the public than did the British model from which they had won independence.

In addition to the 435 representatives from usa, at that place is a Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and Delegates from Washington D.C., American Samoa, Guam, The Democracy of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. The Resident Commissioner and Delegates are able to serve and vote on committees, but practise non have the same full voting rights equally the 435 land representatives.

The Role of the Census

Specifically, seats in the House " are apportioned based on state population according to the constitutionally mandated Census."  The Census, which occurs every ten years and is overseen by the Bureau of the Demography, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Tying representation to Census data allows the number of each state's representatives to increment or decrease along with fluctuations in country population. The Demography data is so used to determine congressional districts, areas in the state from which representatives are elected to the House. This process is called redistricting. For more on redistricting and the Census, run across The Policy Circumvolve'south Decennial Census Brief.

Elections

Members of the Firm of Representatives " must stand for election every 2 years , after which it convenes for a new session and essentially reconstitutes itself – electing a Speaker, swearing-in the Members-elect, and approving a slate of officers to administer the institution." Biennial elections are held in Nov, and the Congress commences in the post-obit January. To be elected, a representative must be at least 25 years onetime, a Usa denizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state he or she represents. U.S. House candidates are not required to alive in the congressional district they represent.

The Life of a Representative

According to Congressional Management Foundation'due south Life in Congress report , when representatives are in Washington, D.C., they written report spending their time as follows:

  • 35% on "Legislative/Policy Work"
  • 17% on "Constituent Services Work"
  • 17% on "Political/Campaign Piece of work"
  • 9% on "Press/Media Relations"
  • ix% on "Family unit/Friends"
  • 7% on "Authoritative/Managerial Work"
  • 6% on "Personal Time"

When in their habitation commune, they reported spending time as follows:

  • 32% on "Constituent Services Work"
  • 18%  on "Political/Campaign Piece of work"
  • fourteen% on "Printing/Media Relations"
  • 12%  on "Legislative/Policy Work"
  • 9% with "Family/Friends"
  • viii% on "Personal Fourth dimension"
  • seven% on "Authoritative/Managerial Work"

Bounty

Article I, Department six of the Constitution requires Congress to determine its own pay. Congress's " current automated adjustment formula , which is based on changes in private sector wages," was established by the Ethics Reform Human activity of 1989. The last pay aligning was in January 2009. Since, most representatives earn $174,000 annually, while the majority and minority leaders make $193,400. The Speaker earns the largest bacon at $223,500. Additionally, representatives "are subject field to some specific laws and regulations regarding the acceptance of gifts ," especially gifts from registered lobbyists or from private entities that retain or employ a lobbyist.

What does the House of Representatives practise?

Responsibilities of the Firm

Per the Constitution , the Firm and Senate together brand and pass federal laws, introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees that enable members to develop specialized knowledge on the matters under that committee'south jurisdiction. Though both make up Congress, there are a few distinctions between the two. In particular, the Constitution "provides that merely the Firm of Representatives may originate revenue bills, " and by tradition it too originates appropriation bills.

Additionally, while the Constitution does non specifically mention investigations and oversight , "the say-so to conduct investigations is implied since Congress possesses 'all legislative powers'." The House initiates impeachment proceedings and passes manufactures of impeachment (the Senate sits every bit a courtroom to try the impeachment).

Finally, during a presidential election, the Firm of Representatives steps in if no candidate receives a majority of the total electoral votes. Each land delegation has i vote to choose the President from among the pinnacle three candidates with the largest number of balloter votes.

Leadership in the House

After each election, the political political party that wins the virtually representatives is designated the " Majority ." The other party is the " Minority. " The majority party holds key leadership positions, such as Speaker of the House. The same party can have the bulk in both the Business firm of Representatives and the Senate, or the chambers can be split. Third parties rarely have enough members to elect their own leadership, so independents generally bring together one of the larger party organizations to receive committee assignments.

The House is run by majority rule.  When a bulk of members vote to practice something in the House, it gets done. Majority rule makes passing legislation relatively efficient, and that means that the party in the minority has less ability to set the agenda or pass its proposals. This contrasts with the Senate, where a single senator – in the majority or the minority – tin can generally strength a vote or stop a neb in its tracks.

House Leadership includes the Speaker of the Business firm, Majority and Minority Leaders, and Majority and Minority Whips.

The Speaker of the Firm is the presiding officer of the House, and is elected past the members of the House. The Speaker administers the Oath of Office to Business firm members, chairs certain committees or nominates commission chairs (namely the chairs of the House Administration Committee and the Rules Committee ), and appoints members of various committees and Firm staff. After the Vice President, the Speaker is second in line to succeed the Vice President.

Majority and Minority Leaders represent their respective parties on the Business firm floor. Each is elected by his or her corresponding party. The majority leader is second to the Speaker and schedules legislative business, planning legislative agendas rather than serving on committees. The minority leader serves as the minority party'due south spokesperson, essentially the minority party'south analogue to the Speaker. He or she also chairs the minority party's committee consignment panel.

Majority and Minority Whips serve every bit middlemen to between their party leaders and members. They "maintain communication between the leadership of the party and its members, marshal support for party positions on the floor, count votes on fundamental legislation, and persuade wavering Members to vote for the party position."

The Speaker of the House is elected past the entire House of Representatives, while the Republican Conference and Democratic Caucus elect the other leadership positions. The Republican Conference is the formal organization of Republican Members in the House, and the Democratic Caucus is that of the Autonomous Members.

See current Firm Leadership positions here.

The Role of Committees

Committees " are permanent panels governed by House bedroom rules, with responsibility to consider bills and issues and to take general oversight relating to their areas of jurisdiction." Committees have different legislative jurisdictions, but each considers, shapes, and passes laws related to its jurisdiction, and monitors agencies, programs, and activities inside their jurisdiction. Each commission has a chair that leads the full committee, and a ranking member who leads the minority members of the commission. Commission consignment directly affects a representative'south work in Congress. After a Congressional election, political parties assign newly elected representatives to standing committees

Crash Course U.S. Regime & Politics explains what Congressional committees do (8 min):

Some of the most well-known committees include:

  • The House Commission on Means and Ways , which oversees all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures.
  • The House Committee on Appropriations , which has jurisdiction over setting specific government expenditures.
  • The House Committee on Strange Diplomacy , which has jurisdiction over strange help and oversees national security developments affecting foreign policy.
  • The Firm Committee on the Judiciary, which oversees the judiciary and civil and criminal proceedings.

Near committees are regular standing committees, which proceed from i Congress to the next. There are also select committees, special committees formed for a short period of fourth dimension for a specific purpose such as an investigation, and in that location are several joint committees with the Senate. See a full list of all Firm Committees here .

Legislation in the Business firm

Legislation begins with an idea . It may come from a Congressman, a staffer, a constituent, or a thought leader or proficient on a given subject. You may remember the School House Rock video , which walks through the legislative process in an attainable way and is slap-up to share with your kids (iii min):

Drafting Legislation

Working with Firm parliamentarians —  lawyers and clerks who provide nonpartisan guidance on rules and procedures — and other Congressional staff on Capitol Hill, the Congressional representative's staff drafts the beak. The parliamentarians take specific expertise; they work closely with staff in a not-partisan way to draft the specific language of the nib. Staff works to build sponsors and cosponsors before the beak is introduced.

Introducing a Bill

Whatsoever Member, Consul, or Resident Commissioner can innovate a bill when the business firm is in session past " placing information technology in the 'hopper, '" a box on the House Clerk'due south desk in the Capitol building. The Member who introduces the bill is known as the master sponsor. The bill is and then formally assigned a number past the Clerk. A bill originating in the House will start with "H.R." (for the Firm of Representatives, as opposed to "S." for the Senate). The Speaker's office so assigns that bill to its committee(south) of jurisdiction, which so assigns the beak to a subcommittee(s).

Committee Process

The Subcommittee seeks input from relevant departments and agencies and holds public hearings. Afterward hearings, at that place is a markup on the legislation , in which "views of both sides are studied in detail and at the determination of deliberation a vote is taken to determine" whether or non the subcommittee recommends the bill to the full committee. In the full committee, the subcommittee reports on the bill; this meeting provides an opportunity for Members to ameliorate the legislation. In that location is too the possibility that the committee tables the beak or fails to have activity , which prevents the bill from reaching the total Firm. You tin watch House Commission hearing videos hither .

To go to the total Firm, the committee staff writes a report describing the purpose of the nib, why the nib is recommended, and an analysis of each part of the bill and how the bill may bear on existing law. A total committee mark-up and the decision of what legislation makes it to the Business firm flooring is tightly controlled by the Commission Chairman's office and leadership. When the legislation is reported favorably out of the total committee information technology awaits a determination by leadership to schedule time for it to be debated on the Business firm floor. This decision is a negotiation based on priorities of the committee and of leadership.

After a committee has reported a pecker, the nib is placed on the calendar . This ways the bill is eligible for floor consideration, but non that it will necessarily brand it to the floor. In the Business firm, it is up to the majority party leadership to decide which bills the House will consider on the flooring, and in what society.

Commission on Rules

Once leadership has decided that a specific piece of legislation volition receive floortime, the House Majority Leader alerts the committee of jurisdiction that the pecker will exist considered on the House Floor, and this kicks off the Rules Committee process.

The Commission on Rules , or Rules Commission, is i of the oldest standing committees in the Firm. The Committee is commonly known as "The Speaker's Commission" – prior to 1910, the Speaker chaired the Rules Commission, and today it is the mechanism past which the Speaker maintains control of the Firm Flooring. The Rules Committee is sometimes as well referred to as " the traffic cop of the Firm ," as it determines how much time will exist allowed for contend on each piece of legislation considered on the House floor, and if any (and which) amendments volition exist allowed to exist considered during the debate.

Well-nigh bills are considered under a process known equally intermission of the rules , "which limits fence to 40 minutes and does not allow amendments to exist offered past members on the floor." Otherwise, the bill is considered under terms tailored for the particular bill. In this instance, the House adopts a resolution called a special dominion from the Rules Committee. Subsequently the Rules Committee reports the rule for considering the bill and the House votes to adopt the rule, the Business firm can then proceed to the floor debate.

Flooring Debate

Once the rule has been adopted, the House ordinarily considers the bill "in a procedural setting called the Commission of the Whole , which is essentially "the House assembled in a different course; information technology is a committee of the Business firm composed of every Representative that meets in the Firm sleeping room." This procedure "allows members an efficient way to consider and vote on amendments."

After the floor contend on amendments and the underlying legislation, the Committee of the Whole reports to the full Firm, which and so votes on the pecker. The bill passes the House by a simple majority , 218 votes of the 435 total. It then goes to the Senate and waits to be scheduled for floor time.

See The Policy Circle's Senate Cursory to see how the process continues.

Additional Resources

Glossary of terms

Different types of legislation

Culling legislative procedures in the House

Ways to Become Involved/What You Can Do

Measure & Identify : Who are the influencers in your land, county, or customs? Learn most their priorities and consider how to contact them

  • Do you know who your Congressional Representative is ? What about your state elected officials ?
  • Track your representatives' votes with GovTrack .

Reach out: Y'all are a catalyst. Finding a common cause is a slap-up opportunity to develop relationships with people who may be outside of your immediate network. All information technology takes is a small-scale squad of ii or three people to prepare a path for real comeback. The Policy Circle is your platform to convene with experts you want to hear from.

  • Find allies in your community or in nearby towns and elsewhere in the state.
  • Foster collaborative relationships with colleagues, neighbors, friends, and local organizations to mobilize an effort to bring attention to your effect to your local Congressional office. Too reach out to community leaders to educate them and request their engagement on the issue.

Plan: Set up some milestones based on your land's legislative agenda .

  • You can find the legislative calendar for the Firm of Representatives hither .
  • Don't hesitate to contact The Policy Circle team, communications@thepolicycircle.org , for connections to the broader network, advice, insights on how to build rapport with policy makers and establish yourself every bit a borough leader.

Execute: Give it your all-time shot. You can:

  • Inquiry: Make sure you lot know the facts virtually the issue you lot are raising. Government agencies, think tanks, and media outlets can all be practiced resources. Remember to research all sides of the issue to make certain you lot understand various angles. You tin can also talk with people who are afflicted past the issue with which y'all are concerned; anecdotal information combined with measured data tin be powerful.
  • Write: Although we may exist more inclined to e-mail in the digital historic period, writing an erstwhile-fashioned alphabetic character to your local elected representatives or to members of Congress is yet one of the virtually effective ways to influence lawmakers.
      • See these tips for footstep-past-footstep instructions to write letters to elected officials, including how to accost your representative, reference specific legislation, and properly send your correspondence.
  • Organize: Organize people to phone call in, follow-upwardly on written cloth, and achieve out to other community members to educate them on the issue. Demonstrating wide support tin be very effective in influencing a legislator to support your position.

Working with others, you may create something neat for your community. Here are some tools to larn how to contact your representatives and write an op-ed .