A ccording to those who inhabit it, the House of Representatives is the most demotic bit of the federal government. Kevin McCarthy, the Republican who was recently elected as the House majority leader, once likened it to a truck stop. One of the first things Mr McCarthy announced after winning was that he would carry on sleeping in his office, something several congressman wishing to appear frugal claim to do (they shower in the gym, in case you were wondering).On one measure, though, the House looks positively aristocratic. Since 2012, when its members were last up for election, 30% of Europe's monarchies have put newcomers on the throne. By contrast, only around 17 out of 435 House seats-less than 4%-will be competitive in November's mid-terms. Even if one includes members who are retiring, resigning or have lost primaries, the House doesn't come close to matching the turnover rate of royals in the Old World.
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