It may raise and pay for armed forces. It establishes federal courts of law. It regulates trade with other countries. The members serve 2-year terms. Elections are held in November of even-numbered years, and the representatives take office the following January.
Representatives represent the people who live in a congressional district.
Each of the 435 districts has about the same number of people. The members of the House of Representatives choose their own leader, who is called the speaker of the House. The speaker plays an active role in setting the legislative agenda that determines which bills will be voted on and in what order. The speaker is assisted by the House majority leader, who, in turn, is assisted by the House majority whip. Members of the minority party, also get together to elect a House minority leader and a House minority whip.