The U. S. House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population.  In addition, there are 6 non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five territories of the United States.  All 435 representatives are up for re-election every two years.  The presiding officer of the chamber is the Speaker of the House, elected by the Representatives.  He or she is third in the line of succession to the Presidency.

Members of the House must be 25 years of age, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state (but not necessarily the district) they represent.

The House has several powers assigned exclusively to it, including the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie.