1. The Supreme Law of the USA
US Constitution
The Supreme Law of the USA

2. The First Attempt
First Draft: Written in 1777, in effect from 1781 – 1789.
Created more problems than it solved.
9/13 States required to pass a law.
13/13 States required to change the articles.
Congress had no power to tax, print money, or regulate trade
Firm League of Friendship = 13 Separate countries.

3. US Constitution Mostly written by James Madison
“Father of the Constitution”
Constitutional Convention: Philadelphia – Independence Hall
The Rhode Island conundrum?
Not so secret meetings… Madison takes notes.
Big States vs. Small States
The Plans: Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, Connecticut Compromise.
Founding Fathers not invited … except George Washington & Ben Franklin.

7. The Articles The Constitution is made up of 7 Articles.
Articles state how the Govt. should operate.
Articles = Branches
Article I: Legislative.
Article II: Executive.
Article III. Judicial.
Role in the Law?

8. Preamble
The Constitution contains 27 Amendments.
The Bill of Rights = First 10
Amendments define what rights citizens do and do not have.
Are rights absolute???
Status of 18th & 21st Amendments.

9. Article I Congress: House of Representatives
Membership based off of population.
Taken directly from Madison’s Virginia Plan.
Originally 59 seats.
Today 435 members. Max number.
1 Representative for every 30,000 pop.
1 Rep for every ~709,000 people.
7 states have only one Rep in the House.
California has 53.
Kansas has 4.

10. Kansas Congressional Districts

11. Congress: House of Representatives
Must be 25 years old & a citizen for the previous 7 years.
2 year term. No term limits.
All Representatives run for re – election every 2 years.
Must be a resident of the district they represent.
Representatives work more on the local level than their counterparts in the Senate.
Kansas 4th District: Ron Estes – R
Mike Pompeo

12. Congress: Senate Equal Representative regardless of size.
Taken directly from William Paterson’s New Jersey Plan
100 members, 2 per state.
6 year terms in office.
Must be 30 years old & a citizen for the previous 9 years.
A resident of that state.
Membership broken into three classes. 33, 33, 34 per class. Each class runs for re – election in 2 year cycles.
Freshman Senators, Junior Senators & Senior Senators, (Even in Washington, Sophomores are not important).
Kansas: Pat Roberts – R , Jerry Moran – R

13. Original Capital Building

14. Politics & Leadership VP Mike Pence – R From Indiana
Former VP Joe Biden – D From Delaware.
Roles of the Vice President: Only 2 officially.
Two Party System – Majority & Minority Leaders.
Democrats vs. Republicans vs. Independents.
Speaker of the House is the Majority leader of the House.
Nancy Pelosi of California – John Boehner of Ohio – Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

15. Congressional Powers
Impeachment: The House impeaches, the Senate tries the case, Chief Justice Presides.
Only two President’s have ever been impeached. Both were acquitted.
Supremacy Clause: The Constitution supersedes all State laws if there is ever a conflict.
All States must recognize the laws of all other states.
Same Sex Marriage?
Necessary and Proper Clause: If a law has been left out and Congress feels it is needed, Congress has the power to add it.
The Elastic Clause is why the Constitution is still effective years later.
Very wide ranging and vague, on purpose.

16. Article II The President
Must be at least 35 years old.
A natural born US citizen.
What makes someone a citizen?
Lived in the US for a minimum of 14 years.
Non continuous.
4 year term.
A maximum of two terms. 22nd Amendment.
What is the maximum amount of time one person can be President?
10 years.

17. Electoral College Who Elects the President?

20. Article III The Supreme Court
Nine Judges serve on the Court.
A Chief Justice & 8 Associate Justices.
Judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Judges hold their seat “during good behavior”:
Has been interpreted as meaning for life.
Judges serve until they retire or die.
Crimes that prevent service or bring objectivity into question.
The Supreme Court does not try cases, they rule whether or not cases from lower courts are constitutional.
Miranda v. Arizona, 1966.

21. 2016 Court

22. 2017 Court

23. Judicial Power John Marshall: Chief Justice for 34 years.
Marbury vs. Madison: Judicial Review.
Court rules a law unconstitutional without proper authority.
Establishment of a legal Precedent.
Can the President legally ignore the Supreme Court?
Andrew Jackson and the “Trail of Tears”.
“Justice Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.”

24. Top Three Supreme Court Cases
Roe vs. Wade, 1973: Legalizing abortion.
Plessy vs. Ferguson, 1896: Legalized segregation
Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka Ks, 1953: Struck down segregation in public schools.

25. Amendments
Question: List the names of the five family members on the “Simpsons”.
Question: List the five rights guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.
Can rights be limited?
Bill of Rights.
2nd Amendment: A well regulated Militia.
5th Amendment: Plead the 5th.
13th – 15th: Civil War Amendments.
19th Amendment: Women’s Suffrage.
25th Amendment: 2 Term Limit.