Legal Definitions - H.R.

H.R. stands for the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers that make up the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. Its members, known as representatives, are elected by the people of individual congressional districts within each state. The number of representatives a state has is determined by its population. The House plays a crucial role in drafting and passing federal laws, initiating all revenue bills, and has the power to impeach federal officials.

• Example 1: Legislative Bill Designation

  A news article reports, "The proposed federal budget reform, officially designated as H.R. 1234, has passed out of committee and is now awaiting a full vote on the chamber floor."

  Explanation: In this context, "H.R." is used as a prefix for a bill number, indicating that the legislation originated in or was introduced into the House of Representatives. All bills introduced in the House are assigned an "H.R." number.

• Example 2: Committee Reference

  During a public hearing, a witness addresses the panel, stating, "I appreciate the opportunity to present my testimony before the distinguished members of the H.R. Committee on Appropriations."

  Explanation: Here, "H.R." clarifies that the committee in question is a standing committee of the House of Representatives. Committees within the House are responsible for specific areas of legislation and oversight, and their names often include the "H.R." abbreviation to distinguish them from Senate committees.

• Example 3: Referring to the Body Itself

  A political commentator remarks, "The upcoming midterm elections will be critical, as a change in party control of the H.R. could significantly impact the President's ability to pass his legislative agenda."

  Explanation: In this instance, "H.R." is used as a concise abbreviation to refer directly to the House of Representatives as a legislative body. This usage is common in political discourse and news reporting to quickly identify which chamber of Congress is being discussed.