The Constitution Stuff You Need to Know

The Preamble 6 goals are outlined in the Preamble Form a more perfect union Establish justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

Article I: The Legislative Branch The legislative branch has the power to create laws Congress is made up of 2 houses The House of Representatives: 2 years of service Must be 25 years old Number of reps determined by population There are 435 total representatives All bills for raising money must begin in the House If a vacancy occurs, the state’s governor must call a special election to fill it. The Speaker of the House presides over the meetings The House has the power to charge a public official in impeachment cases

Article I: The Legislative Branch Senate: 6 years of service Must be 30 years old to be a senator, citizen for 9 years 2 senators from each state (100 total) The Vice President presides over senate meetings He is the tie-breaker when votes are 50-50 If he is absent, the president pro tempore fills in (elected by the Senate) Has the power to impeach high public officials (i.e. the president) Originally, state legislators elected senators The 17th Amendment changed it to direct election.

Article I: The Legislative Branch Other duties of Congress: Govern the District of Columbia Levy taxes, coin money, borrow money Declare war Establish uniform rules of naturalization Requirements to become a citizen Override a veto: 2/3 in both houses Establish a postal system Confirm presidential appointments Cabinet, VP, Supreme Court justices, etc. Congress must meet at least once a year To have a meeting, there must be a quorum Majority- 218 in House, 51 in Senate

Article II: The Executive Branch The President is the head of the executive branch 4 years of service (only 2 terms allowed) 22nd Amendment Elected by the Electoral College You elect members of the Electoral College to vote for who you want Winner take all- Whoever wins a state gets all of the votes of that state. Natural born citizen- 35 years old Enforces the laws Leader of the country The Vice President, department heads (Cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies assist the President Appoints justices to the Supreme Court

Article II: The Executive Branch What if something happens to the President? Who’s next? Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of Senate Secretary of State Other Cabinet members in order of when positions were created

Article III: The Judicial Branch The Supreme Court Once appointed they serve for life Carries out the laws Has the power to declare laws unconstitutional In cases affecting representatives of foreign countries, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction Determine punishments for treason (usually death) Cannot be convicted of treason unless you confess in open court Or if two witnesses testify that you have done a treasonable act Families of traitors are not automatically convicted too

Other Important Info Inventions are protected by patents The Elastic Clause- gives Congress the power to make laws to carry out powers granted in the Constitution Habeas Corpus- You cannot be held without just cause Ex post facto- If you do something, then it becomes illegal, you cannot be convicted. Ex. When they changed the drinking age to 21, if you were 18 before it changed, you were allowed to drink. Inventions are protected by patents