Constitutional Powers

I. Congress

A. The House of Representatives Considered more representative than the Senate because of its size , term of office and qualifications for office. Revenue bills must start in the House. The impeachment process must also start In the house Reps must be 25 and citizens for 7 years and a member of the state you want to represent

B. The Senate 1. The Senate has more difficult qualifications, its members serve longer terms and it is a smaller body than the House. 2. The Senate tries impeachment cases and approves presidential appointments and treaties. Must be 30 years old, 9 year citizenship requirement and live in the state you want to represent

C. Joint Powers of Congress Enumerated or delegated powers of the constitution are specifically listen in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. Congress also has the power to “make all laws necessary and proper” known as the necessary and proper or elastic clause. The Commerce Clause gives Congress the power to regulate interstate Commerce. Many laws including Obamacare and anti-discrimination laws originate from this clause Lay and collect taxes, provide for the common defense and the general welfare, borrow money and regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, coin money establish post offices.

II. The Executive

A. The President Strictest qualifications of all three branches The President has the power to act as commander and chief Make treaties with the consent of the Senate Appoint ambassadors and justices with the consent of the Senate Sign legislation or veto legislation Native born citizen, must be 35 years old,

3. The electoral college was created to enable a select group of voters to have the final say on who becomes President and Vice President

B. The Vice President President of the Senate (has the deciding vote if there is a tie) Next in line to succeed the president in case of death The 25th amendment gives the president the power to temporarily hand over power to the Vice President in the case of an emergency. President Reagan and Bush both invoked the 25th to undergo a colonoscopy.

III. Judicial Powers A. No direct responsibility or accountability to the public B. Marbury V. Madison established the principle of judicial review.

IV. Amending the Constitution Stage 1: Amendment Proposal Stage 2: Amendment Ratification Amendments may be Proposed by Amendments may be ratified by A 2/3 Vote of both houses of Congress 3/4 of the fifty state legislature Or Or ¾ of special constitutional conventions called by the states A constitutional Convention called by Congress on petition of 2/3 of the fifty states.

V. Limitations on Power Due process to defendants involved in criminal cases Allowing all 3 branches to check each other Establishing a Bill of Rights as the first ten amendments Giving the states all other powers that no not already belong to the federal government.