Why did the framers of the Constitution grant the House of Representatives the most "power of the purse"?
Responses
The House most often favored liberal financial policies
The House most often favored liberal financial policies
The House had the most influence of the President
The House had the most influence of the President
The House most directly reflected the will of the citizens.
The House most directly reflected the will of the citizens.
The House was seen at being at odds with the Senate
The House was seen at being at odds with the Senate
The correct response is: The House most directly reflected the will of the citizens.
The framers of the Constitution believed in the principle of popular sovereignty, which means that the people are the ultimate source of government power. As such, they created the House of Representatives as the chamber of Congress that would be the most responsive to the will of the people. The House was granted the power of the purse, which means that it has the ability to initiate all bills for raising revenue, as well as the authority to appropriate funds for government programs and operations. This was done to ensure that the financial decisions of the federal government were made with the direct input and control of the people's representatives in Congress.