The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution Targets I can explain how the United States Constitution is structured and what it entails. I can break down and describe the Preamble to the United States Constitution. I can explain different Core Democratic Values and how they are linked to the United States Constitution. I can describe each of the Articles to the United States Constitution and what they uphold. I can depict different amendments to the United States Constitution and understand why these changes were necessary.

Article I Legislative Branch (also known as Congress) Main job: Make Laws The Legislative branch is bicameral (two chambers or houses) The House of Representatives The Senate Washington DC – Capitol Building

Article I The House of Representatives Qualifications: 25 years old A United States citizen for at least 7 years A resident of the state they represent Length of term: 2 years

Article I The House of Representatives Representation: the number of representatives each state is allowed is determined by population. Each state has at least one representative There are a total of 435 members Chart at the top (112th Congress): 435 members 193 Democrats 242 Republicans (1 Vacancy) Michigan has 15 representatives the House of Representatives has 435 members and six non-voting delegates. elected officials from 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia. 111th Congress started on Jan 3, 2009 and ends Jan 3 2011 76 women (2010) An incorporated territory of the United States is a specific area under the jurisdiction of the United States, over which the United States Congress has determined that the United States Constitution is to be applied to the territory's local government and inhabitants in its entirety (e.g., citizenship, trial by jury), in the same manner as it applies to the local governments and residents of the U.S. states. Incorporated territories are considered an integral part of the United States, as opposed to being merely possessions. Guam Northern Mariana Islands (commonwealth) Puerto Rico (commonwealth) United States Virgin Islands

House of Representatives Vern Ehlers – represents our region (3rd district) Leader: The Speaker of the House John Boehner Special Power: Only the House of Representatives has the power to impeach (which means to officially accuse of wrongdoing) The right to impeach public officials is secured by the U.S. Constitution in Article I, Sections 2 and 3, which discuss the procedure, and in Article II, Section 4, which indicates the grounds for impeachment: "the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Bribery, perjury, and treason Abuse of power and serious misconduct in office Since 1797 the House of Representatives has impeached sixteen federal officials. These include two presidents, a cabinet member, a senator, a justice of the Supreme Court, and eleven federal judges. Of those, the Senate has convicted and removed seven, all of them judges. Not included in this list are the office holders who have resigned rather than face impeachment, most notably, President Richard M. Nixon. Two U.S. presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth chief executive (Congress were furious at his leniency toward ex-Confederates and obvious lack of concern for ex-slaves), and William J. Clinton, the forty-second (grand jury perjury, civil suit perjury, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power--character issues brought into question even before his election. An investigation into some suspect real estate dealings in which Clinton was involved prior to his presidency failed to turn up any implicating evidence, web of alleged sexual advances and affairs in Clinton's).

Article I The Senate Qualifications: 30 years old A United States citizen for at least 9 years A resident of the state they represent Length of term: 6 years Representation: Two senators shall be elected for each state. Total of 100 Terms are staggered- every 2 years 1/3 of the people are up for election

Article I Michigan’s Senators Carl Levin (until 2015) Debbie Stabenow (until 2013) Chart at the top (112th Congress): 100 members 51 Democrats 47 Republicans 2 independents 17 women

Article I Leader: The Vice President presides over the Senate but has no vote unless there is a tie Special Power: Only the Senate has the power to try all those impeached by the House of Representatives. If they are found guilty, they will be removed from office. Only seven of these officers were convicted by the Senate. A president has never been removed from office through the impeachment process.

Article I Congressional Powers include: Collecting taxes Borrowing money Regulating trade with foreign countries Coining money Punishing those who counterfeit Name some, income, property, sales, gas, tobacco, China 3. china- lead paint, poison in formula

Article I Congressional Powers include: Establish post offices Giving patents Establishing courts Declaring war Establishing and maintaining a military Name some, income, property, sales, gas, tobacco, China 3. china- lead paint, poison in formula

Article I Salary = $174,000 per year How a Bill becomes a law – School House Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlka6fTnDnI