A lower house is the lower chamber of a bicameral legislature, where the other chamber is the upper house. Although styled as "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide, the lower house has come to wield more power or otherwise exert significant political influence.

Common attributes

In comparison with the upper house, lower houses frequently display certain characteristics (though they vary by jurisdiction).

Powers

In a parliamentary system, the lower house: In a presidential system, the lower house:

Status

The lower house: Members of the lower house: The government of the day is usually required to present its budget to the lower house, which must approve the budget. It is a widespread practice for revenue (appropriation) bills to originate in the lower house. A notable exception to this is the West Virginia House of Delegates in the United States, which allows revenue bills to originate from either house.

Titles of lower houses

Many lower houses are named in manners such as follows: