Which body has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills?

The House of Representatives is granted the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills as outlined in the United States Constitution, specifically in Article I, Section 7. This provision reflects the framers' desire to ensure that taxation and government spending originate from the body that is most directly accountable to the electorate, as Members of the House serve shorter terms and represent smaller constituencies compared to Senators.

This authority reinforces the principle of "no taxation without representation," establishing that the individuals who propose tax legislation are closely connected to their constituents, who will be affected by these financial decisions. Other bodies, such as the Senate and Congress as a whole, play vital roles in the legislative process but do not hold the exclusive authority to introduce revenue-related measures. The President, while influential in the budgetary process and the overall fiscal policy, does not possess any constitutional power to initiate revenue bills.