October 7 , 2009

Noah from Minnesota asks, “Historians. What is the history behind having a Chaplain in the U.S. House of Representatives? How long has the opening prayer been a practice in the House?”
Response

September 24 , 2009

Margaret from Texas asks, “Historians. When and for what purpose was the first Thanksgiving under the federal Constitution?”
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September 11 , 2009

Deborah of Maryland asks, “Dear Historians. When was the position of Whip created for both parties and what does it do? Thank you.”
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August 28 , 2009

Jill of New York asks, “Historians. With the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, I was wondering how many Members of the House and Senate are buried at Arlington National Cemetery? Thank you!
Response

August 17 , 2009

Sarah of Arkansas asks, “Historians. What’s the background history of the August Recess period? Thank you.”
Response

July 24, 2009

Lorraine of Maryland asks, “Historians. Last week Representative Judy Chu was sworn in as the first Chinese American woman to the U.S. House of Representatives. Her background is Chinese America, however I am wondering how many actual ‘foreign born’ Members of the House have there been and what countries were they born in? Thanks.”
Response

July 10, 2009

Ed of Virginia asks. “Historians. Two weeks ago, on June 26th, House Minority Leader Boehner gave a long speech that was almost a filibuster in nature. Does the House have a filibuster and if so, where does this come from? Thanks.”
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June 24 , 2009

Jenny asks, “Historians. I’ve noticed that Mr. Obama has put many Members of the House to be part of his cabinet. Recently, have a lot of Members of the House joined Presidential cabinets directly from the House? Thank you.”
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June 8 , 2009

Alice asks, “Historians. As far back as can be determined, which Members of the House have switched parties over history? Thanks.”
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May 26, 2009

Ira asks, “Historians. What was the particular decision in changing proceedings of Joint Sessions and Joint Meetings from the Doorkeeper announcing the arrival of, “The Ambassadors, Ministers, and Charges d’Affairs of Foreign Governments” in the House Chamber to “the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps?”
Response

May 6, 2009

Ben of Pennsylvania asks, “Historians. In my research, I am noticing two different years as to when the House Electronic Voting System and, respectively, the tally board in the House chamber was first installed. Was it 1973 or 1976? Thank you.”
Response

April 22, 2009

Mark of Illinois asks, “Historians.  There are many examples of Senators and Governors eventually becoming the President of the United States, but do you have a listing of Members of the House that would become President as well? Which of those Members also directly went from the House to the Presidency?  Thanks!”
Response

April 6, 2009

Samantha in Rhode Island asks, “Historians. My current Representative is disabled and I was wondering have there been other notable Representatives who have served with a disability?”
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March 23, 2009

Michael asks, “Historians.  How and when did the House cap it’s membership to 435 and has there ever been an instance when the House had more than 435 Members and why?  Thanks!”
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March 9, 2009

Ryan asks, “Historians. I just took a tour of the Capitol and was wondering, when did the House Chamber first open and what sort of ceremony, if any, was held?”
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February 20, 2009

James asks, “Historians. The House of Representatives is a diverse body of individuals. There have been a few ‘celebrity’ Members of the House throughout the course of its history. Can you cite a few examples and some brief background on them? Thanks!”
Response

February 2, 2009

Jason asks, “Historians. What are House caucuses and their influence on the legislative process?”
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January 22, 2009

Mr. A.P. from the Netherlands asks, “Historians. Can you explain to me why the text of the Vice President's oath of office for the inauguration was much longer than the text of the President? Why not the same text for both? Thank you.”
Response

January 5, 2009

Morgan asks, “Historians. Do you know if a numbered Congress can simply expire, or does it require formal action by the House and Senate (a formal agreement to adjourn “sine die”)?
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December 19, 2008

Sarah asks, “Dear Historians. Why are the President’s inauguration ceremonies held at the Capitol? 
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December 1, 2008

Elizabeth asks, “Dear Historians, Will President-Elect Barack Obama be giving a State of the Union speech within his first month of office?  Are there any trends in recent history regarding a new President giving a State of the Union speech?”
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November 14, 2008

Madeline asks, “Dear Historians.  I know that former President John F. Kennedy was a Senator, but was he also a Member of the US House of Representatives?  If so what years did he serve and where was his office located?”
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November 3, 2008

Steven asks, “Dear Historians. We located an old trunk that is labeled House of Representatives on it.  Did Members or staff ever use these devices in House History?  Thanks!”
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October 20, 2008

Ted of Colorado, asks, “Fellow Historians, does the Speaker of the House need to be a member of the House? If not, has there ever been a Speaker who was not a Representative?”
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October 6, 2008

Fred asks, “Fellow Historians. How is it that the bill which passed the Senate last night (Wednesday October 1, 2008) has tax provisions in it. Isn't this contrary to the constitutional requirement that all revenue bills originate in the House?”
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