Pennsylvania_State_House

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Lower house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

"Pennsylvania State House" and "Pennsylvania House" redirect here. For the building in Philadelphia, see Independence Hall. For the former hotel in Ohio, see Pennsylvania House (Springfield, Ohio). For the building in which the legislature meets, see Pennsylvania State Capitol.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two-year terms from single member districts.[1][2]

Quick Facts Type, Term limits ...

It is the largest full-time state legislature in the country. The New Hampshire House of Representatives is larger but only serves part-time.

Qualifications

Representatives must be at least 21 years of age. They must be a U.S. citizen and a Pennsylvania resident four years, and a resident of the district they represent one year prior to their election and must reside in that district during their term.[3]

Hall of the House

The Hall of the House contains important symbols of Pennsylvania history and the work of legislators.

  • Speaker's Chair: a throne-like chair of rank that sits directly behind the Speaker's rostrum. Architect Joseph Huston designed the chair in 1906, the year the Capitol was dedicated.
  • Mace: the House symbol of authority, peace, order and respect for law rests in a pedestal to the right of the Speaker. Its base is solid mahogany, intricately carved and capped by a brass globe engraved with the Pennsylvania coat of arms. An American Eagle perches on top. The tradition of the mace may date to the Roman Republic when attendants of Roman consuls carried bundles of sticks wrapped around an axe to enforce order. The tradition may also come directly from Pennsylvania's English heritage.
  • Murals: a colorful panorama of Pennsylvania history appear in murals by Edwin Austin Abbey. The most commanding of the series hangs behind the Speaker's rostrum and dominates the wall behind the Speaker. It is called The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania
  • Ceiling: a work of art in itself with its ornate geometry of gold leaf buttoned at the center by a charming painted illustration. In "The Hours", Abbey represents the passage of time in the form of 24 maidens revolving in an endless circle amidst the moon, the sun and the stars of the Milky Way.[4]

Speaker of the House

Main article: Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

The speakership is the oldest elected statewide office in the Commonwealth. Since its first session in 1682—presided over by William Penn—over 130 house members have been elevated to the speaker's chair. The house cannot hold an official session in the absence of the speaker or their designated speaker pro tempore. Speaker Leroy Irvis was the first African American elected speaker of any state legislature in the United States since Reconstruction. Speaker Dennis O'Brien was the only minority-party Speaker known in Pennsylvania and only the second known nationwide.

Democrat Joanna McClinton was elected Speaker of the House on February 28, 2023, becoming the first female Speaker in Pennsylvania.[5]

Composition

Current session

As of February 15, 2024:

↓
102 100
Democratic Republican
More information Affiliation, Party (shading indicates majority caucus) ...

Leadership

As of February 28, 2023:

Speaker of the House of Representatives: Joanna McClinton (D)

Majority Party (D)[16] Leadership Position Minority Party (R)[17]
Matthew Bradford Floor Leader Bryan Cutler
Dan Miller Whip Tim O'Neal
Michael Schlossberg Caucus Chairperson George Dunbar
Tina Davis Caucus Secretary Martina White
Jordan A. Harris Appropriations Committee Chairperson Seth Grove
Leanne Krueger Caucus Administrator Sheryl M. Delozier
Ryan Bizzarro Policy Committee Chairperson Josh Kail

Current members

Current House composition by district:
  Democratic representative
  Republican representative

As of March 18, 2024:

More information District, Representative ...

    Past composition of the House of Representatives

    Main article: Political party strength in Pennsylvania
    •   Republican representative
        Democratic representative
        Vacant seat
    • January 2019

    Committees

    As of May 1, 2023:[19]

    More information Committee name, Majority Chair ...

    See also

    Notes

    1. Rep. Freeman previously served from 1983 to 1994.
    2. Margo Davidson resigned on July 23, 2021, after being charged with theft of state funds.
    3. Rep. Neilson previously served from 2012 to 2014.
    4. Known as the Consumer Affairs Committee prior to 2023.
    5. Known as the Urban Affairs Committee prior to 2023.

    References

    Specific
    1. [1]
      Article II, section 2, Pennsylvania Constitution.
    2. [2]
      Article II, section 16, Pennsylvania Constitution.
    3. [3]
      "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"."Article II. The Legislature"."§5. Qualifications of Members".
    4. [4]
      Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Pennsylvania General Assembly". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on December 18, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2007.
    5. [5]
      Caruso, Stephen (February 28, 2023). "PA House elects first female speaker after resignation". Spotlight PA. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
    6. [6]
      Lehman, Tom (January 9, 2023). "Lawmaker calls for resignation of Pennsylvania House speaker". WGAL.
    7. [7]
      Vigdor, Neil (February 7, 2023). "Sweep in 3 Special Elections Gives Democrats Control of Pennsylvania House". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
    8. [8]
      Jones, Matt (February 15, 2023). "Schlegel-Culver to be sworn in to Senate Feb. 28". The Standard-Journal. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
    9. [9]
      Caruso, Stephen (March 8, 2023). "PA lawmaker accused of sexual harassment will resign". Spotlight PA. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
    10. [10]
      Scicchitano, Eric (May 17, 2023). "Majority position allows Pa. House Dems to pursue policy priorities". CNHI News. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
    11. [11]
      Ulrich, Steve (July 19, 2023). "Back To Even. Innamorato To Resign From PA House". PoliticsPA. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
    12. [12]
      Caruso, Stephen (September 19, 2023). "Democrats again have PA House vote advantage". Spotlight PA. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
    13. [13]
      Hall, Peter (December 14, 2023). "Special election set for Feb. 13 as Pa. state Rep. Galloway officially resigns". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
    14. [14]
      "Adams's resignation gives House Democrats slim majority prior to special elections". City & State PA. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
    15. [15]
      McGoldrick, Gillian (February 13, 2024). "Democrats hold on to control of the Pa. House in Lower Bucks special election". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
    16. [16]
      Ulrich, Steve (February 28, 2023). "House Democrats Announce Leadership Team - PoliticsPA". PoliticsPA. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
    17. [17]
      "Leaders for the 2023-24 Session". PA House Republican Caucus. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
    18. [18]
      "2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Districts". DOS Voting & Election Information. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
    19. [19]
      "Daily Session Update". Pennsylvania House of Representatives. May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
    20. [20]
      Ulrich, Steve (March 8, 2023). "McClinton Announces House Committee Chairs". PoliticsPA. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
    21. [21]
      Ulrich, Steve (January 26, 2023). "GOP Names House Committee Chairs". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
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