Each state obtains representation in the chamber proportional to its population, with the right to a minimum of one representative, who are elected by uninominal majority scrutiny in most states and with a nonpartisan general primary with a majority second round in three states; The most populous state, California, has 53 representatives. The total number of representatives is currently set at 435 by the Reapportionment Act of 1929, although Congress retains the power to modify that number. Each representative is elected for a period of two years and may be re-elected. The president of the chamber is known as the "Speaker" (Speaker), and is elected by its members.

The bicameral Congress grew out of a desire of the Founding Fathers of the United States to create a "people's" chamber that would represent public opinion, counteracted by a more deliberative Senate, which would represent the governments of the states and that would be less susceptible to them. popular feelings. The House is usually considered the "lower house", although it should be noted that the United States Constitution does not use such terminology. The Constitution establishes that to approve a law, approval is required in both chambers.