U.S. Constitution Articles I – VII

What is the Preamble? Beginning of Constitution; states the goals of the Constitution

Article I Establishes the Legislative Branch Power to make laws

Describe Congress Bicameral or two houses House of Representatives & Senate

Qualifications for House of Representatives Resident of state At least 25 years old U.S. citizen 7 years

Length of Term for House 2 Year Terms

Describe House of Representative Membership Representation is based on population 435 members

Who is the House Leader? Speaker of the House

Powers only the House has Impeachment Begin Appropriation Bills

Impeach Formally accuse a person of wrongdoing

Describe Senate Membership 100 senators 2 from each state

Length of Senate Term 6 year terms

Senate Qualifications 30 years old U.S. Citizen 9 years Resident of state

Senate Leaders Vice President is president of the Senate (Joe Biden) President Pro Tem is day-to-day leader Majority Leader

Senate Powers Approves appointments Tries impeachments cases

When General Elections Are Held First Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years

Congressional Session Rules Sessions begin January 3rd Must meet at least once a year

Congressional reports Day-to-day occurrences are recorded in the ‘Congressional Record’

How a Bill becomes a law Must pass both houses in same form Conference Committees works out differences Most work is done in committee

President’s Role in Passing Bills Sign the bill into law Veto the bill Doesn’t sign – becomes law in 10 days (if Congress is in session) Pocket veto, doesn’t sign within 10 days (Congress not in session)

Vote to Override a veto Congress can override a veto with 2/3 vote of both houses

Congressional Powers (Enumerated or Expressed) Declare war Coin money Counterfeiting Elastic clause (implied powers) Tax Borrow money Regulate trade Establish courts

Implied Powers of Congress Also called: Elastic Powers Come from Necessary and Proper clause

Powers Denied to Congress Writ of Habeas Corpus Bills of Attainder Tax exports Grant titles of nobility

Article II Executive Branch Enforces the law

Executive Branch Made up of: President (Barack Obama) Vice President (Joe Biden) President’s cabinet officers

Qualifications - President U.S. citizen by birth At least 35 years old Resident of U.S. for 14 years

Presidential Term 4 year term

Electoral College Elect President & Vice President Electors = total number of congressional representatives in a state

Powers of President Commander of armed forces Grant reprieves & pardons, commute sentences Make Appointments

Duties of President Delivers State of Union address Prepares Federal budget Calls special sessions of Congress

President’s Cabinet Secretary of State Secretary of Defense Secretary of the Treasury Attorney General

Choosing Cabinet Officers President appoints them Senate must approve the appointment

Article III Judicial Branch Interpret the laws

Federal Courts Lower courts (District & Appeals) established by Congress Federal judges are appointed for life

Supreme Court 9 justices One is Chief Justice All appointed for life

Cases Heard in Supreme Court Original jurisdiction Cases involving two states Cases involving foreign diplomats All other cases on appeal

Treason Only crime defined in Constitution (Article III) Only in time of war To be convicted: At least 2 witnesses Confession

Article IV Relations among the states Must recognize court records of other states Can’t discriminate against residents of other states Extradition Congress approves new states

Article V Amending process

Proposing Amendments Proposing: 1. 2/3 vote of Congress 2. National Convention

Ratifying Amendments Ratifying: 1. 3/4ths of state legislatures 2. 3/4ths of states in conventions

Article VI Constitution is supreme law of the land

Article VII Ratifying the Constitution 9 of 13 states had to approve Ratified 1788

Bill of Rights First ten amendments Ratified Dec. 15, 1791

Amendment I Five basic freedoms Religion, speech, press, assembly, petition

Amendment II Right to bear arms

Amendment III Quartering troops Housing troops in private homes

Amendment IV Searches & seizures Search warrants

Amendment V Rights of accused Double jeopardy Self-incrimination Due process Eminent domain

Amendment VI Speedy, fair trial Cross-examine witnesses Attorney Jury trial if wanted

Amendment VII Civil suits Jury trial or bench trial

Amendment VIII Bail & punishment Cruel & unusual punishment Punishment must fit crime

Amendment IX Powers reserved to the people More rights than what are listed

Amendment X Powers reserved to the states

Amendment XI Suits against states Must be tried in state courts

Amendment XII Changed the way the Electoral College voted for President & Vice President Now elected on separate ballots

Amendment XIII Abolition of slavery

Amendment XIV Rights of citizens Defines citizen Due process clause Equal protection of the laws

Amendment XV Right to vote regardless of race

Amendment XVI Established income tax

Amendment XVII Direct elections of U.S. Senators

Amendment XVIII Prohibition of alcoholic beverages

Amendment XIX Gave the right to vote to women Could not discriminate based on gender

Amendment XX Lame-Duck Amendment Moved Inauguration Day to January 20th Congressional Session moved to January 3rd

Amendment XXI Repeal of prohibition

Amendment XXII Limit on presidential terms Limits president to 2 terms or 10 years

Amendment XXIII Presidential electors for District of Columbia Allowed Washington D.C. residents to vote for president

Amendment XXIV Abolition of poll tax

Amendment XXV Presidential disability & succession Succession: Vice President to Speaker of the House to President Pro Tem of Senate

Amendment XXVI 18-year-old vote

Amendment XXVII Restraint on congressional salaries Delays increases in salaries