Whose House is This?

Elections are important for the youth of the country. It will be the citizens’ responsibility to elect leaders, strong leaders, and good leaders. If people vote, our government will be more in line with our beliefs. We could become a greater nation, a great democracy, and a greater people. 

Most Americans vote for the President of the United States. The President is the person who will be seen as the figurehead of the American government. However, it is also important to vote for candidates of other races, such as congressional races. Congressional races help shape what America will look like in the years to come. They help control districts, which can change elections drastically through gerrymandering. 

Congressmen and women have a large role in our government. They are a part of the legislature, which creates laws. By voting for representatives, citizens are voting for people who represent their own ideals and values.

Let’s take a look at the requirements, duties, and members of the House from Minnesota.

Requirements

The following are the requirements for becoming a member of the House of Representatives, as outlined by the United States Constitution:

• They must be at least 25 years of age.

• They shall be a citizen of the United States for at least seven years.

• They should be an inhabitant of the state which they represent.

Duties

Representatives serve two-year terms.

• They introduce bills and resolutions to the House floor, which are then voted on by the whole chamber.

• They offer amendments to bills from either the House or the Senate.

• They serve on one or more of the 20 standing committees throughout the House of Representatives.

List of Committees

There are 20 standing committees in the House of Representatives. Representatives can serve on one or more of these committees, influencing American policy through debate.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

• House Agriculture Committee

• House Appropriations Committee

• House Armed Services Committee

• House Budget Committee

• House Education and Labor Committee

• House Energy and Commerce Committee

• House Ethics Committee

• House Financial Services Committee

• House Foreign Affairs Committee

• House Homeland Security Committee

• House Administration Committee

• House Judiciary Committee

• House Natural Resources Committee

• House Oversight and Reform Committee

• House Rules Committee 

• House Science, Space, and Technology Committee

• House Small Business Committee

• House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

• House Veteran’s Affairs Committee

• House Ways and Means Committee

List of Representatives

Minnesota has eight representatives for each of the eight congressional districts.

1st District: Rep. Brad Finstad (serving the remaining term of Rep. Jim Hagedorn, who died in February)

2nd District: Rep. Angie Craig

3rd District: Rep. Dean Phillips

4th District: Rep. Betty McCollum

5th District: Rep. Ilhan Omar

6th District: Rep. Tom Emmer

7th District: Rep. Michelle Fischbach

8th District: Rep. Pete Stauber

The House of Representatives represents the people. Make sure that it is a fair representation.