The United States Constitution

Introduction to the U.S. Constitution Written in Philadelphia Original intent was to revise the Articles James Madison was the “Father” of the Constitution 39 men signed it in 1787

The Preamble—The Introduction Two main Questions found in the Preamble: 1. Why they are writing it? (to form a more perfect union) 2. What are the goals to be reached? (establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty)

Constitution How the Constitution is divided: 1. Articles—the major divisions 2. Sections--- divisions of an article 3. Clauses--- divisions of a section

Article I---Legislative Branch What is a Congress? 1. Bicameral Legislature---There are two houses, a Senate and House of Representatives. House member serve two year terms

What are the Qualifications for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives? 25 years old 7 year citizen of the United States Resident of the state one is elected in

Reapportionment---How it Works 1.Take a census every ten years 2.Congress totals the number of Reps. each state will get (that total must equal 435) 3.Congress will notify the state legislatures of any changes

House Officers - 111th Congress  Speaker of the House (Nancy Pelosi) - Controls the discussion of the floor  Majority Leader - Helps the speaker & leads his party  Majority Whip - Helps majority leader  Minority Leader - Serves as a watchdog over the majority party  Minority Whip -Helps minority leader

The Senate 1.How is a Senator different from a member of the House of Representatives?  Senators term is 6 years  2 Senators per state (all states get the same amount)  Originally Senators were chosen by state legislatures  Today chosen by direct election (17 th Amendment)

3.What are the qualifications for a Senator?  30 years old  9 year citizen of the United States  Be a resident of the state you are elected from 4.What does the Vice-President do?  The Vice-President (Joe Biden) of the U.S. is the President of the Senate (very little power and seldom is seen on the Senate Floor )  President of the Senate only votes if there is a tie

5.Officers of the Senate - 111th Congress  President of the Pro Tempore - presides temporarily when vice-president is not available (very little power)  Robert Byrd (D)- West Virginia  Majority Leader - controls the agenda of the majority party  Majority Whip - helps the majority leader  Minority Leader - A watchdog function over the majority party  Minority Whip - helps the minority leader

When do we vote for President? When are the national elections held?  National Election Day was set by Congress (1 st Tuesday after the first Monday of November)

Does the House and the Senate following the same proceedings and rules? (No)  House of Reps and the Senate have different rules  Filibuster—Delaying a bill through the use of discussion  Strom Thurmond—longest filibuster, 24 hours 18 minutes

Privileges and Restrictions What is the salary and benefits for a member of Congress?  Compensation—members of Congress will be paid ($150,000 per year)  Congressional immunity-can’t be arrested for minor crimes when traveling to or from Congress (breach of peace, treason, felony, are not exempt from this immunity)  Franking—free mail service

Other Privileges  Salary  Travel expense account  Office in D.C. and their state  Special allowance for stationary, phone calls, faxes  Pension  Some tax exemptions  15% of salary for speaking engagements  Unlimited income from book royalties

Article II—Executive Branch President & Vice President 1.Clause one—How long is the President in office?  Four year terms  1951—22 nd Amendment changed it to a maximum of 2 terms or ten years  FDR served the most years in office (12)  Grover Cleveland served 2 nonconsecutive terms (22nd & 24th President of the United States)

What are the Duties of the President?  President can convene and adjourn Congress in the event of a special circumstance  Main job is to see that the laws are faithfully executed  State of the Union Address- usually in January

Judicial Branch Section One—Federal Courts 1. Who interprets the law?  Judicial branch interprets the law (Courts)  Legislative makes the law (Congress)  Executive enforces the law (President)  Judicial powers—the power to hear cases  Federal Judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate

Treason 1.What is treason?  Only crime defined in the Constitution (helping a nation’s enemies or carrying out war against your country)  2 ways of being convicted: 1. Confession in court room 2. Having two witnesses testify against you 2.What is the penalty for treason?  Treason can only happen during time of war  Maximum penalty is death  Espionage, Sabotage, conspiracy to overthrow the government are all similar to treason but happen during times of peace

CLOSURE Constitution was finished September 17, total delegates during the convention 42 were present on the final day but only 39 people signed the Constitution The following two years provided debate for ratification The United States Constitution took effect April 30, 1789 when George Washington was sworn in as President