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U.S. House of Representatives. (03/04/1789 - ) |
| Organization Name: | U.S. House of Representatives. (03/04/1789 - ) |
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| Role(s): | Related to 108 descriptions described in ARC |
| Role(s): | Related to 110 descriptions described in ARC |
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| Administrative History Note: | The United States House of Representatives was created by Article I, Section I of the U.S. Constitution. The First House was scheduled to meet in New York City on March 4th, 1789, but because of a lack of a quorum, the House did not start conducting official business until April 1st, 1789. The functions and responsibilities of the United States House of Representatives are outlined in the Constitution. The Constitution provides for one expressed legislative function solely for the House: All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. Other Constitutional responsibilities include: sole power of impeachment; judging elections, returns, and qualifications of its members; punishing or expelling its members; determining rules of its proceedings; keeping a journal of its proceedings that includes votes on any questions; considering bills and resolutions; making laws necessary to carry out its specific powers; receiving the State of the Union and other messages from the President. Additional Constitutional powers given to the House, and shared with the Senate, include: the power to levy taxes, collect revenue, pay debts and provide for the general welfare; borrow money; regulate interstate and foreign commerce; establish uniform rules of naturalization and bankruptcy; coin money and regulate its value; punish counterfeits; establish a postal system; enact patent and copyright laws; establish Federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court; declare war; provide for Armed Forces; to have exclusive legislative power over the District of Columbia; admit new states; and propose constitutional amendments. The 12th Amendment to the Constitution also gives the House the power to elect a President should no candidate receive a majority of the votes of the whole number of electors. Most of the House records in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration were maintained by committees rather than the full House of Representatives. However, in the course of carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the House maintained certain series of records that were not referred to specific committees. Examples of those series include, but are not limited to, original bills and resolutions originating in both Houses, impeachment records, journals, accompanying papers, credentials of Representatives, tabled petitions, roll calls, and original reports and documents. |
| Source Note: | NA Guide, Sec. 233.1. |