<P> Representatives and Delegates serve for two - year terms , while the Resident Commissioner serves for four years . The Constitution permits the House to expel a member with a two - thirds vote . In the history of the United States , only five members have been expelled from the House ; in 1861 , three were removed for supporting the Confederate states ' secession : John Bullock Clark ( D - MO ) , John William Reid ( D - MO ) and Henry Cornelius Burnett ( D - KY ) . Michael Myers ( D - PA ) was expelled after his criminal conviction for accepting bribes in 1980 , and James Traficant ( D - OH ) was expelled in 2002 following his conviction for corruption . The House also has the power to formally censure or reprimand its members ; censure or reprimand of a member requires only a simple majority , and does not remove that member from office . </P>
what is the term of an official in the house of representatives
two - year