On this election Sunday, the 513 federal deputies who will form the Chamber of Deputies will be chosen during the legislature from 2027 to 2030.
The deputies represent the population of the states and the Federal District, and the number of seats in each federation unit is defined according to rules of representation proportional to the population, respecting the constitutional limits of a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 70 deputies per state.
A Datafolha survey released this Wednesday (30) showed that the majority of Brazilians have not decided who they will vote for as federal deputy.
According to the survey, 57% say they have not decided on their vote, compared to 43% who say they have already chosen a candidate.
In addition to voting on projects that become laws, deputies decide on the Union Budget, supervise the federal government, participate in parliamentary investigations and have specific responsibilities in cases against the President of the Republic. See below some of the main functions of the Chamber.
1. Creation and amendment of federal laws
Deputies can present bills, suggest changes to texts under discussion and propose amendments to the Constitution. Projects approved by the Chamber may still depend on a vote in the Senate and, as the case may be, presidential sanction.
Recent decisions by the National Congress show how these changes can directly affect everyday life. In 2025, the law came into force that restricted the use of cell phones by basic education students during classes, recess and breaks.
In the same year, legislation was approved that expanded access for CLT workers to credit granted through digital platforms. The law also came into force in 2026 that zeroed Income Tax for monthly taxable income of up to R$5,000 and created a gradual discount up to R$7,350.
2. Participation in the approval of the Union Budget
Deputies and senators analyze the Budget proposal sent by the Executive and can modify it before approval. The Annual Budget Law estimates how much the federal government expects to raise and establishes how much it is authorized to spend and in which areas.
This year, the federal budget forecasts revenue of around R$6.3 trillion. The execution of these expenses can be monitored throughout the year by Congress, which also oversees the application of public money.
An example occurred in the discussion of the 2026 Budget. The proposal sent by the Executive reserved R$1 billion for the Electoral Fund. During the process in Congress, the amount allocated to the fund was increased to around R$5 billion. Part of the resources was taken from the reserve destined for amendments by state benches.
3. Directs resources to states and municipalities through parliamentary amendments
Federal deputies influence the fate of part of the Union Budget through parliamentary amendments. In 2026, each deputy could indicate around R$40 million in individual amendments, intended, for example, for healthcare costs, the purchase of equipment, infrastructure works and social assistance projects.
Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB) and six other deputies concentrated R$1.5 billion in nominations for committee amendments in 2025, while R$6 billion was divided among another 423 deputies. This shows that a deputy's power over public resources can go far beyond the approximately R$40 million of his individual quota.
4. Supervises the Executive Branch
The Constitution and Rules of the Chamber give the Legislature instruments to supervise the federal government. Congressmen can submit requests for information, summon ministers to provide clarifications, hold hearings and request inspections and audits.
In 2025, deputies presented requests to summon the then Minister of Social Security, Carlos Lupi, to explain the suspicions of undue discounts on benefits for retirees and pensioners from the INSS (National Social Security Institute).
In 2026, the Financial Inspection and Control Commission received a summons request from the Minister of Communications to explain the economic and financial situation of Correios and questions raised by the Federal Court of Auditors.
5. Proposes the creation or participates in CPIs
Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry are investigative instruments of the Legislative Branch. According to the Constitution, a CPI can be created to investigate a specific fact and for a specific period of time, upon request from at least one third of the members of the House.
In February 2026, for example, a request was filed to create a CPI on the relations between Banco Master and BRB (Banco de Brasília), still awaiting an order from the President of the Chamber. Another request, presented in April, asked for a CPI on animal abuse and the death of the dog Orelha and gathered a number of signatures greater than the minimum required. The installation also awaits analysis by the President of the Chamber.
6. Action in impeachment
The Constitution establishes that it is up to the Chamber to authorize, by two thirds of its 513 members, the initiation of proceedings against the president and vice-president of the Republic. In the current composition, this means at least 342 votes. The process begins in the Chamber and, if approved by the majority, goes on to be judged by the Senate.
This is what happened in 2016. The Chamber authorized, by 367 votes to 137, the continuation of the impeachment process of then president Dilma Rousseff (PT). The Chamber's authorization did not decide the definitive removal: the process went to the Senate, responsible for the next stages and the trial.
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7. Participation in commissions
Much of the legislative work occurs before a bill reaches the plenary. The proposals are distributed to thematic committees, which can discuss the merits, change the text and, in certain situations provided for by the regulations, approve or reject it without the need for a vote by all deputies.
Among the most far-reaching commissions is the CCJ (Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission), which analyzes constitutional, legal and regulatory aspects of proposals and the admissibility of changes to the Constitution.
A recent example is PL 5,464/2020, on the reception of children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence. In 2026, the proposal was conclusively approved by three committees in the Chamber and, therefore, went directly to the Senate, where it awaits a vote.
8. Approve appointments to the TCU and control councils of the Judiciary and Public Ministry
In April of this year, a position of minister at the TCU (Federal Audit Court) was vacant, which was up to the Chamber to nominate. The Chamber opened the dispute between deputies, the Finance and Taxation Committee analyzed the candidates and the Plenary held a vote. Odair Cunha was chosen with 303 votes. The name was then sent to the Senate for consideration.
This occurs because the Constitution determines that two thirds of the TCU ministers are chosen by the National Congress; one third is appointed by the President of the Republic, with approval from the Senate.
