House of Representatives (Brazil)
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| House of Representatives (Brazil) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Chamber of Deputies |
| Native name | Câmara dos Deputados |
| Legislature | 57th Legislature |
| House type | Lower chamber |
| Body | National Congress of Brazil |
| Foundation | 1826 (Cortes), 1889 (Republic), 1934, 1946, 1988 |
| Leader1 type | President |
| Leader1 | Caiado (placeholder) |
| Members | 513 |
| Voting system | Open list proportional representation |
| Last election | 2022 Brazilian general election |
| Meeting place | National Congress (Brazil) |
House of Representatives (Brazil) is the lower chamber of the National Congress (Brazil), composed of 513 deputies representing the federative units and the Federal District. Established in successive forms since the Cortes and reconstituted after the Proclamation of the Republic, it functions alongside the Federal Senate within the 1988 Constitution framework. The chamber's activity intersects with actors such as the President of Brazil, the Supreme Federal Court, and state legislative assemblies.
History
The chamber traces antecedents to the Cortes and the 1823 Assembly, later evolving through the First Brazilian Republic, the Vargas Era, the Estado Novo, the Fourth Republic, the 1964–1985 military regime, and the transition to democracy. Key reforms were shaped by the Constitution of 1934, the Constitution of 1946, the Constitution of 1967, and the Constitution of 1988, and influenced by political figures such as Getúlio Vargas, Juscelino Kubitschek, João Goulart, and Tancredo Neves. Major controversies involved events like the ethics investigations and debates over fiscal rules during presidencies of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Michel Temer.
Composition and Electoral System
The chamber's 513 deputies are apportioned by population with constitutional minimums for small states and the Electoral Code governs apportionment, influenced by precedents from the Electoral Justice and rulings of the Superior Electoral Court. Deputies are elected via open list proportional representation as used in the 2014 elections, 2018 elections, and 2022 elections. Major political parties such as the Workers' Party, PSDB, Liberal Party, Progressistas, MDB, PSOL, and DEM shape candidate lists, while campaign financing rules stem from decisions by the Electoral Court and laws debated in the Congress.
Powers and Functions
Constitutional powers derive from the 1988 Constitution and include initiating budgetary measures such as the Budgetary Guidelines Law (LDO), the Annual Budget Law (LOA), and fiscal oversight associated with the Receita Federal. The chamber holds exclusive powers like initiating tax legislation and authorizing the prosecution of federal officers before the STF upon motion approved by the chamber and the Senate. It plays a role in impeachment processes exemplified by the proceedings against Fernando Collor de Mello and Dilma Rousseff, shares treaty ratification oversight with the Senate of Brazil, and exercises legislative initiative, oversight through parliamentary inquiries, and approval of appointments in domains set by the 1988 Constitution.
Leadership and Organization
The chamber is presided over by the President of the Chamber elected by deputies, assisted by vice-presidents and secretaries organized into a Mesa Diretora. Leadership coalitions form among parties including the PT, MDB, PP, PSD, União Brasil, and PL. The Bureau manages legislative agenda, administrative functions, and relations with the Senate, the Executive, and the Judiciary. Prominent presidents in recent legislatures include figures affiliated with Eduardo Cunha, Rodrigo Maia, and Arthur Lira.
Legislative Process
Bills may be introduced by deputies, committees, the President of Brazil, state legislatures, and citizens via mechanisms specified in the 1988 Constitution. The process proceeds through committee review, plenary debate, and voting where passage requires simple majority or qualified majorities for constitutional amendments per the 1988 Constitution and procedures influenced by rulings from the STF. Budgetary proposals follow deadlines established by the Budgetary Guidelines Law (LDO) and are subject to amendments and vetoes by the President of Brazil, with overrides requiring congressional votes involving the Senate.
Committees
Permanent standing committees mirror thematic areas such as Constitution and Justice, Budget and Finance, Defense, Education and Culture, and Health and Social Security. Special committees handle matters like impeachment, parliamentary inquiries (CPIs) exemplified by the COVID-19 CPI, and procedural reviews; their work interfaces with institutions such as the Federal Police, Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF)],] and the Tribunal de Contas da União|TCU.
Relationship with Other Branches
The chamber interacts constitutionally with the President of Brazil on legislation and nominations, with the Senate on shared legislative duties and impeachment consequences, and with the STF on judicial review. It coordinates with the State Legislative Assemblies of Brazil on concurrent matters and with federal agencies like the TCU and Ministry of Economy on budget and oversight. Political dynamics involve coalitions tied to presidents such as Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff, and Jair Bolsonaro, while institutional checks reference precedents from STF rulings and historical crises including the Impeachment of Dilma Rousseff and the Operation Lava Jato investigations.