HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The name given to the more numerous branch of the federal congress, and of the legislatures of the states of the United States.
The constitution of the United States, art. I. s. 2, § 1, provides that the "house of repre sentatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states ; and the electors of each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature." No person can be a representative until he shall have attained the age of twenty-five and has been seven years a citizen of the United States, and un less he is at the time of his election an in habitant of the state in which he is chosen ; U. S. Const art. I. sec. 2, § 2.' A representa tive cannot hold any office under the United States ; art. I. s. 6, § 2; nor can any religious test be required of him ; art. VI. § 3; nor is any property qualification imposed up on him. Representatives are apnortioned (Amend. 'XIV. sec. 2) among the several states according to their respective numbers, excluding Indians not taxed; with a pro viso, that, if the right to vote for state or U.
S. officers is denied to any male inhabitants of a state, of 21 years of age and citizens of the United States, except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the representa tion in such state shall be proportionately reduced. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thou sand, but each state shall have at least one representative ; U. S. Const. art. I. sec. 1. A reapportionment among the states is made every tenth year. Under the act of Aug. 8, 1911, the number was increased to 435, in cluding one representative each from Arizona and New Mexico, not at that time admitted as states. The house of representatives has the exclusive right of originating bills for raising revenues, but the senate may concur with amendments, U. S. Const. I. sec. 7; Story on Const. 571. See CONGRESS ; Quo RUM ; SPEAKER ; MAJORITY; MONEY BILLS ; APPORTIONMENT.