The United States Congress, which corresponds to the American national parliament, adopts a bicameral system with the Senate and the House of Representatives.
While the Senate represents the states, the House of Representatives functions as the assembly of citizens, as its number of members is determined by the population of each state.
The House of Representatives holds its sessions in the House Chamber, located in the south wing of the United States Capitol. When Congress is not in session, the House Chamber is open to the public for visitation.
The formal name of the House of Representatives is “House of Representatives,” and its members are referred to as “Members of Congress,” but for convenience, I’ll use the commonly used term “House” here.
Made of marble, the Capitol Building follows the architectural style...
Features of the House Chamber
The House Chamber is designed with deep brown walls and cream-colored marble columns, creating a serene atmosphere. Behind the Speaker’s chair, a large nylon American flag is vertically hung, with the national motto “In God We Trust” inscribed above it.
Unlike the Senate, the seating arrangement in the House is radial, and each member’s desk does not have an accompanying table.
The floor of the House Chamber is covered with a slightly lighter blue carpet, giving it a distinctive ambiance compared to the Senate.
Origin of the names “Senate” and “House”
The names “Senate” and “House” originated from the time when Congress was located in Philadelphia, where the Capitol had two floors. The Senate was located on the upper floor, while the House was on the lower floor.
Since the visual arrangement was clear and straightforward, these names have been used to this day.
Visiting the House Chamber
The building that houses the House Chamber is located next to the Independence Hall and is open for public tours. If you have the opportunity, I recommend visiting the House Chamber when you are in Washington D.C., which is approximately a 2-hour train ride from Philadelphia.
State of the Union Address
Every year, on the last Tuesday of January, the President delivers the State of the Union Address in the House Chamber. On this day, the President, along with the Vice President, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, and others, gather in the House Chamber, filling it with a large audience.
To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, a designated survivor, the third in line for the presidency, and another cabinet member with presidential succession rights are chosen from both the Senate and the House to be absent during the event.
Composition and Elections
The House of Representatives is composed of members elected from each state based on its population, determined by a census conducted every ten years. The entire House is up for reelection every two years, allowing for frequent turnover of members to prevent political corruption.
Unlike Japan’s House of Representatives, which can be frequently dissolved by the Prime Minister, the United States Congress does not have the power of dissolution, making this system unique to a presidential system.
Visiting Procedures
When visiting the House Chamber, visitors must deposit their belongings in the designated area at the Visitor Center before entering. After that, they can take an elevator to the second floor of the Capitol and head to the south wing, where the House Chamber is located.
If you ever visit Washington D.C., be sure to pay attention to the American flag on top of the Capitol, and if it’s not raised, consider going inside for a visit.
Please note that my translation might not be perfect, as I am an AI language model, and context and nuance can sometimes be challenging to capture accurately.
