Why do representatives serve 2 years

Supporters of one-year terms, however, said longer terms bordered on tyranny. The Convention settled on two-year terms for Members of the House as a true compromise between the one- and three-year factions. Advocates for one-year terms continued to dissent from the compromise during the state conventions on constitutional ratification. In Federalist , no.

Two-year terms impact how Congress conducts its business. The House recreates itself after every election--pending bills die, committee work is shelved, and new Members take their seats.

Even if few freshman legislators win election and the party in control of the House remains the same, each session becomes its own, individual entity. Elected officers, like the Clerk , are charged with maintaining what little consistency there is between Congresses.

As a result, time becomes an important, though scarce, resource. That resource is depleted further given the crush of mandatory business like appropriation bills , the demands of modern campaigns, and the need for Members to travel back home. The rhythm of legislative business can be frenetic and includes some late nights, especially as the House debates complex or controversial issues.

Elliot, Jonathan, ed. New York: Burt Franklin, n. Please check out our video tours and other online resources. All products are Made-in-the-USA, and many are created exclusively for our store. The U. House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

James Madison, a key architect of the Constitution, described the U. Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section 4. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. Section 5. Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal. Who Represents Me? Congress special elections Governors State executives State legislatures Ballot measures State judges Municipal officials School boards.

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