How long must you be a U.S. citizen to be a member of the House of Representatives?

To be a member of the House of Representatives, a candidate must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years. This requirement is established in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, which outlines the qualifications for Representatives. The rationale behind this stipulation is to ensure that candidates have a sufficient degree of familiarity and allegiance to the United States.

The requirement of being a U.S. citizen for seven years serves as a way to promote informed representation, as longer citizenship corresponds with a greater understanding of the nation's laws, culture, and governance. This timeframe is both reasonable and helps to maintain a level of experience with the American political system.