Repräsentantenhaus

Repräsentantenhaus is the German term for the lower chamber of a bicameral parliament, commonly used to translate the English "House of Representatives." In German-language texts it most often refers to the United States House of Representatives, but the expression can be used descriptively for similar bodies in other countries when a German equivalent is discussed.

Structure and functions: The body is composed of representatives elected from geographic districts or constituencies. In the United States, members serve two-year terms; there are 435 voting members plus non-voting delegates from territories. Members typically belong to political parties, and leadership is headed by the Speaker, who is usually from the majority party. The chamber operates through committees that draft legislation, conduct investigations, and hold hearings. A primary constitutional power is to originate revenue bills; in the United States, impeachment proceedings for the president begin in this chamber, and a majority vote can remove the official upon conviction by the Senate.

Legislation passes the Repräsentantenhaus, then proceeds to the other chamber and, if approved, to the head of state for signing. In different systems the exact powers and procedures vary, but the lower house generally represents the population more directly and plays a key role in budgetary matters and oversight.

Naming and usage: Outside the United States, the term is not the official name of any current federal body in German-speaking countries; for example Germany's Bundestag and Austria's Nationalrat are the lower houses. Thus Repräsentantenhaus is primarily a translation used in encyclopedic, academic, or comparative contexts.