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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Lower house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
It is the largest full-time state legislature in the country. The New Hampshire House of Representatives is larger but only serves part-time.
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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
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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]
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Speaker of the House
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
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Current session
As of March 26, 2025[update]:
| 102 | 101 |
| Democratic | Republican |
Leadership
As of November 13, 2024[update]:
Speaker of the House of Representatives: Joanna McClinton (D)
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Current members
Democratic representative
Republican representative
As of March 26, 2025[update]:
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Past composition of the House of Representatives
- Republican representativeDemocratic representativeVacant seat
January 2019
Committees
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As of March 29, 2025[update]:
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See also
Notes
References
External links
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