THE 7 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The functions of the House of Representatives include passing, modifying and repealing laws with a view to further defending the interests of citizens. Exercises legislative power in a country.

The House of Representatives of a country is one of the two houses of Congress and has the function of representing citizens before the State. The people that make it up are elected by popular vote.

The number of people that make it up depends on the number of inhabitants of that country. Each state or territorial unit has a certain number of representatives in that chamber.

Candidates for this body are generally required to be natural citizens of the country in question, and of a specified age and level of education.

These requirements also vary according to the legislation of each country, such as its period of operation.

They are usually divided into commissions or groups, to distribute the areas in which they will concentrate their actions during their management.

The 7 main functions of the House of Representatives

1- Constituent function

A crucial function in the House of Representatives is to make modifications, amendments or reforms to the national constitution in accordance with the legal framework of each country.

It is a delicate function as it relates to the very nature of the political regime of a society.

2- Legislative function

This is another fundamental task of this institution: to elaborate, interpret, modify or repeal laws.

Considering the existing legal framework and the demands of the country's reality, they must propose laws that meet the needs of citizens and guide their civil and criminal matters. It also proposes organic codes of laws.

3- Electoral function

The House of Representatives has the power to choose the head of the Ombudsman's Office and other representatives of the public powers.

In some countries, it accompanies the Congress of the Republic and the Senate in the selection process of the comptroller general and the magistrates.

4- Judicial function

The House of Representatives is an instance from which an investigation can be opened to the highest representative of the Executive Power, as well as other public powers.

In this sense, it can request support from other authorities or create special commissions to carry out these investigations.

These investigations are aimed at criminal sanctions; However, the House of Representatives may establish moral sanctions, such as a motion of censure against an official who has been found to be guilty in the exercise of his functions.

5- Political control function

Members of the House of Representatives have the authority and the obligation to summon public officials suspected of wrongdoing.

They can also do it to inquire in more detail about the management of these officials, or in any specific situation that relates to their scope of action.

6- Protocol function

It is before the House of Representatives that the president of a country takes office and takes the oath with which he begins his administration.

It is also there where the president or prime minister is accountable to the citizens of that nation. From there, honors are also awarded to illustrious citizens of the country.

7- Comptroller function

This is the institution that approves the national budget and verifies the allocations made from it.

Likewise, it is before the House of Representatives that the accounts of this budget are rendered and extraordinary expenses are justified, if they exist.

References

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