The House of Representatives

There is not a lot of information in the Constitution specifically pertaining to the “lower” house of Congress. Each Representative must be twenty-five years old, a U.S citizen for seven years, and reside in the state he/she is representing. The term of office is two years, so every even-numbered year all seats of the House are up for election.

Perhaps this is why it’s called the “lower” house, since its membership tends to be more fluid. The majority party can theoretically change every two years.

The last phrase in Section 2 states that the House of Representa- tives “shall have the sole power of impeachment.” The House is the only body which can present formal charges, much like an indictment, against a public official (members of the executive and judicial branches), and the trial takes place in the Senate.

In our nation’s history only 17 individuals have been impeached by the House: two presidents (Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton), one cabinet member, one senator, and 13 judges. Only seven of those, all judges, were actually removed from office.

Section 7 states that “all bills for raising revenues shall originate in the House of Representatives.” Section 8 details what this “revenue” includes (taxes, etc.) but it is interesting that the officials who can most often be elected OUT of office are the ones to originate these expenses.

If We the People will just educate ourselves and pay attention, we can hold these Representatives accountable for what they do with our money. If we choose ignorance and complacency, is it any wonder that our money is being stolen from us in plain sight?

“We have rights, as individuals, to give as much of our own money as we please to charity; but as members of Congress we have no right so to appropriate a dollar of public money.” –Davy Crockett