MADISONCENTER FOR AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
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An invitation to understand

The Constitution,
connected.

Start with a question. Follow a connection.
Discover the ideas that hold a republic together.

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The constitutional text

Article I · Section 2

Select any highlighted phrase to understand what it means.

The 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.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

[Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.]* The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Source: National Constitution Center edition. Original wording is preserved; commentary explains historical and superseded provisions.

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Go at your own pace

You don’t have to understand everything at once. One connection is a good beginning.

LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER

Article I, Section 2, Clause 5 — impeachment

Impeachment begins in the House

Current text
and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

What it means

The House alone holds the federal power of impeachment: formally accusing an impeachable officer. Impeachment is the charging step, distinct from the Senate’s trial and judgment.

Historical setting

The Constitution adapted an English parliamentary mechanism but distributed accusation and trial between two republican chambers. Federalist 65 described impeachable misconduct as abuse of public trust that could involve political passions.

What it does

A House impeachment does not by itself remove a President, judge, or other covered officer. Removal requires the constitutionally specified Senate conviction, and Article II identifies the grounds.

Debate & interpretation

The mechanism must be available for grave abuses without becoming a routine substitute for elections or policy disagreement. Separating the stages creates another decision point, although party loyalties can still shape both chambers.

A common misreading

“Impeached” does not mean “convicted,” “removed,” or “found guilty in a criminal court.”

Think it through

What kinds of abuse threaten public trust enough that waiting for an election would be inadequate?

Follow the connection

Sources & further reading

Original Madison Center commentary. Explanations distinguish the text, historical context, and interpretive disagreements.

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