<P> The Constitution does not provide for the representation of the District of Columbia or of territories . The District of Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico , American Samoa , Guam , the Northern Mariana Islands , and the U.S. Virgin Islands are each represented by one non-voting delegate . Puerto Rico elects a Resident Commissioner , but other than having a four - year term , the Resident Commissioner 's role is identical to the delegates from the other territories . The five Delegates and Resident Commissioner may participate in debates ; prior to 2011 , they were also allowed to vote in committees and the Committee of the Whole when their votes would not be decisive . </P>
<P> The Constitution does not provide for the representation of the District of Columbia or of territories . The District of Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico , American Samoa , Guam , the Northern Mariana Islands , and the U.S. Virgin Islands are each represented by one non-voting delegate . Puerto Rico elects a Resident Commissioner , but other than having a four - year term , the Resident Commissioner 's role is identical to the delegates from the other territories . The five Delegates and Resident Commissioner may participate in debates ; prior to 2011 , they were also allowed to vote in committees and the Committee of the Whole when their votes would not be decisive . </P>
what is the term of office of a representative
what is the term of office of a representative
four - year
four - year