US House of Representatives: Core Structure and Membership

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How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

There are 435 voting members.

What is the length of a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

A two-year term.

How is the number of Representatives from each state determined?

It is based on the state's population. States with larger populations get more representatives.

What national event, conducted every 10 years, determines the population for representation purposes?

The U.S. Census.

What is the process of re-dividing the 435 seats among the states after a census called?

Reapportionment.

What is the minimum age requirement to be a U.S. Representative?

A person must be at least 25 years old.

What is the citizenship requirement to be a U.S. Representative?

A person must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years.

What is the residency requirement for a U.S. Representative?

A person must live in the state they represent at the time of their election.

Are there any limits on the number of terms a Representative can serve?

No, there are currently no term limits for members of the House of Representatives.

Besides voting members, the House also has non-voting members. What are their titles?

They are called Delegates and a Resident Commissioner.

Which areas do the non-voting members of the House represent?

The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Why is the House often called the "people's house"?

Because its members represent smaller districts and face re-election every two years, making them more directly responsive to the will of the people.