The House of Representatives is one of the two legislative assemblies that make up the U.S. Congress. The framers of the Constitution intended for the House to represent the views of the American people in the legislature, while the Senate represents the interests of the states. Together, they pass laws that shape the nation. The 435 members of the House fo Representatives are elected every two years, which requires representatives to be sensitive to the needs of their constituents in order to retain their seats. This book explains how the House operates, and how in recent years it has become more divided along ideological lines and less able to function effectively.