WHAT DOES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DO?
The House of Representatives is one of Congress’s two chambers. As part of the legislative branch, the office has the power to create laws, regulate commerce, and control taxing and spending policies. The House is designed to be a close representation of American voters and Representatives can introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments and serve on committees. The House has 23 standing committees with different legislative jurisdictions, which means that each committee considers its respective bills and issues and recommends measures to Congress for consideration.
DID YOU KNOW…THIS IS THE FIRST STATEWIDE ELECTION THAT WILL FOLLOW THE NEW REDISTRICTING LINES?
During elections, the location of district lines decide which voters vote for which representative. After the 2020 Census, 6 states gained seats, and 7 states, including California, lost seats. Find information about the 2020 census and redistricting here.
DID YOU KNOW…THE HOUSE IS RUN BY MAJORITY RULE?
The political party with the most representatives is called the Majority in the House, while the political party with fewer representatives is called the Minority. Currently, the Democratic party holds the Majority in the House by six seats.
DID YOU KNOW…YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS ON YOUR BALLOT?
Be an informed voter! Enter the address where you are registered to vote and click on the November 8 election to see all ballot measures and individuals running for office in your state:
DID YOU KNOW… YOU CAN LOOK UP WHERE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE STANDS ON ISSUES?
As part of Congress, the House of Representatives makes important legislative decisions. You can research your representative’s voting records to see the issues they focus on. Use GovTrack to see how representatives have voted on key legislation and to check if representatives hold up to their campaign promises!
HOW CAN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HELP THE API COMMUNITY and stop asian hate?
Representatives act as federal advocates for their constituents. API advocacy by Representatives often sets a national example for supporting the API community that is reflected in state and local levels.
Representatives play a vital role in advocating for the API community by enacting legislation. In 2021, Congress passed S. 937 — COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, sponsored by Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawai’i and Representative Grace Meng of New York. This legislation aims to make the reporting of hate crimes more accessible at the local and state levels by boosting public outreach and ensuring reporting resources are available online in multiple languages. Additionally, it directs a designated Justice Department official to focus on reviewing such incidents and establishes grants for state-run crimes reporting hotlines.
Another key way that Representatives can advocate for the API community is through federal funds. Members of Congress vote on budgets where they push for funding projects that positively impact the API community. These funds can have national, state, and local impact.
Representatives have the ability to recommend and bring API advocates to important leadership roles. In 2023, the United States Commission on Civil Rights released the report, The Federal Response to Anti-Asian Racism in the United States, which assessed the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S. from 2019 through 2021 and the federal role in preventing and enforcing federal hate crime laws. This commission is an independent, bipartisan agency founded to research national civil rights and investigate civil rights violations. It consists of eight commissioners, half appointed by Congress and half appointed by the President. New York Representative Grace Meng recommended one of the current commissioners. Such commissions provide a crucial avenue for Representatives to appoint qualified leaders in advocacy roles.
Members of Congress can also join CAPAC, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Its members, who are elected officials of Asian and Pacific Islander descent or have a strong dedication to advocating for APIs, are dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of the API community. CAPAC strives to ensure legislation passed by Congress provides for full participation of the API community and serves to educate Congress about its history, contributions and concerns.
HOW CAN API COMMUNITY ADVOCATES MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD IN an ELECTION?
Register to vote and know your state’s deadlines.
Be an informed voter.
Research the issues on your ballot and find them here
Know your polling location.
Locate your polling place here
Vote early.
Learn how to vote early here
Raise awareness about issues you care about.
Research congress members that support the policies you care about here
Don’t be afraid to educate your friends and engage on social media!