Which house of Congress is responsible for initiating revenue bills?

The House of Representatives is designated by the Constitution as the chamber responsible for initiating revenue bills. This requirement is established in Article I, Section 7, of the U.S. Constitution, which states that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House, although the Senate may propose amendments to these bills.

This provision underscores the principle that representatives in the House, who are directly elected by the people and serve shorter terms compared to Senators, should have the primary role in proposing measures that affect taxation and government revenue. As such, it emphasizes accountability to the electorate regarding financial matters.

The other options do not have the authority to initiate revenue bills. The Senate, while it plays a significant role in legislation and can influence revenue measures through amendments, does not have the original jurisdiction. A Joint Committee, which consists of members from both chambers, typically focuses on specific issues or oversight and does not have the authority to initiate revenue bills. The Supreme Court, being the judicial branch, does not have any legislative powers and thus cannot initiate bills of any kind.