1. U.S. Constitution
Articles I – VII

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

3. Article I
Establishes the Legislative Branch
Power to make laws

4. Describe Congress Bicameral or two houses
House of Representatives & Senate

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

6. Length of Term for House
2 Year Terms

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

8. Who is the House Leader?
Speaker of the House

9. Powers only the House has
Impeachment
Begin Appropriation Bills

10. Impeach
Formally accuse a person of wrongdoing

11. Describe Senate Membership
100 senators
2 from each state

12. Length of Senate Term
6 year terms

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

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

15. Senate Powers
Approves appointments
Tries impeachments cases

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

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

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

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

20. 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)

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

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

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

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

25. Article II
Executive Branch
Enforces the law

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

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

28. Presidential Term
4 year term

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

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

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

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

33. Choosing Cabinet Officers
President appoints them
Senate must approve the appointment

34. Article III
Judicial Branch
Interpret the laws

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

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

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

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

39. 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

40. Article V
Amending process

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

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

43. Article VI
Constitution is supreme law of the land

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

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

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

47. Amendment II
Right to bear arms

48. Amendment III
Quartering troops
Housing troops in private homes

49. Amendment IV
Searches & seizures
Search warrants

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

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

52. Amendment VII
Civil suits
Jury trial or bench trial

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

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

55. Amendment X
Powers reserved to the states

56. Amendment XI
Suits against states
Must be tried in state courts

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

58. Amendment XIII
Abolition of slavery

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

60. Amendment XV
Right to vote regardless of race

61. Amendment XVI
Established income tax

62. Amendment XVII
Direct elections of U.S. Senators

63. Amendment XVIII
Prohibition of alcoholic beverages

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

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

66. Amendment XXI
Repeal of prohibition

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

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

69. Amendment XXIV
Abolition of poll tax

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

71. Amendment XXVI
18-year-old vote

72. Amendment XXVII Restraint on congressional salaries
Delays increases in salaries