THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

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7 Articles1. Legislative branch2. Executive branch3. Judicial branch4. The states5. Amending the Constitution6. National Supremacy7. Ratification

ARTICLE 1

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Sec. 1 - Congress

Makes the laws, 2 parts - Senate and the House of Representatives.

Senate House

Sec. 2 -House of Reps.A. 2-year term

B. Must be 25 yrs old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the district you represent.

C. A census is taken every 10 yrs to determine the number of Reps from each state.

(total -435) (IL-20)

(Costello or Davis)

D. If a Representative dies, the Gov calls a special election.

E. The House elects a Speaker of the House.

Who is it now?

The House has the power of impeachment.

Sec. 3 - Senate

A. 2 Senators from each state, total _?_, 6 year term.

- 1/3 elected every 2 years.

FKirk Durbin

B. Must be 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, & live in the state you represent.

C. The Vice President is the President of the Senate; only votes to break a tie.

Joe Biden

D. The President Pro Tempore (Pro Tem) runs the Senate when the VP is absent.

E. The Senate is the jury in impeachment trials; 2/3 of Senate must vote guilty to kick out.Andrew Johnson

Bill Clinton

F. Impeachment can remove you from office, then you can be tried in regular court.

Sec. 4: Congressional meeting date

A. Congress must meet at least once a year. (Jan. 3)B. Election date: 1st Tues. after 1st Mon. in Nov.

Sec. 5: Rules of Procedure for

CongressA. Must have a Quorum to do business.

Quorum - more than 50%.

B. 2/3 must agree to expel a fellow member.

(1 Rep. expelled in the twentieth century)C. A journal must be kept. (Congressional Record)

Sec. 6: Privileges and Restrictions

A. Paid by Treasury Dept.B. You cannot hold another gov’t job while you are a congressman.

Sec. 7: How a Bill becomes a Law.

A. All bills to raise revenue must begin in the House of Rep.

B. A bill becomes a law if it passes both houses AND:1. Pres. signs it within 10 days.2. Pres. doesn’t sign or veto within 10 days.

3. Pres. vetoes the bill, but 2/3 vote in both Houses override the veto.

C. Pocket Veto - If the Pres. lets a bill sit until the end of a Congressional session, the bill dies.

Sec. 8: Powers of Congress

A. Collect taxes.

B. Borrow money.C. Regulate Commerce

Trade.

$$

Enumerated powers- powers listed in the Constitution

E. Coin money.F. Punish counterfeiters.G. Establish post officesH. Establish patent and copyright laws.

D. Make laws to become a U.S. citizen, make laws about bankruptcy

I. Set up a court system.J. Make laws about crimes at sea.K. Declare war.

L. Raise an army and navy and supply themM. Call out a militia.

N. Govern the District of Columbia, power to move the Capital. O. Elastic Clause - stretches the powers of Congress - (“necessary and proper clause)

Sec. 9: Powers Denied the Federal Government

THE FEDERAL GOV’T CANNOT:

A. Take away the right of Habeas Corpus -

B. Pass a Bill of Attainder -

Pass an Ex Post Facto Law - C. Tax a state’s population extra because of the wealth of the state.D. Make laws favoring one harbor over another. E. Give or accept titles of

nobility.

Sec.10: Powers Denied the States

The States Cannot:

A. Make treaties or become part of another country.B. Give private citizens permission to fight other countries.

C. Make their own money.D. Pass a bill of attainder or ex post facto law.E. Give titles of nobility.F. Tax imports or exports.

G. Keep troops except National Guard.H. Go to War.

ARTICLE 2 - THE EXECUTIVE

BRANCH

Enforces the laws

Sec. 1: President and Vice President

A. 1 term = ? yearsB. Electoral College - each state receives votes equal to the number senators and reps for state.(100 + 435 = )

C. The President must:be 35 years old, be

born a U.S. citizen, live in the U.S. for 14 years.

D. Presidential Succession (1-6)

Sec. 2: Powers of the President

A. Commander in Chief of the military, in charge of the Cabinet, grants pardons.B. Makes treaties -(who approves?) C. Appoints ambassadors

D. Appoints Federal Judges - Who approves?

E.Appoints Cabinet Members - Who approves?

Sec. 3: Duties of the President

A. Make a State of the Union Address

B. May call a special session of Congress.

Why? - Declare war, etc.

ARTICLE 3 - The Judicial

Branch

Supreme Court building

Sec. 1: Federal Courts

A.The creation of a Supreme Courtall other courts made by?B.Judge for LifeC. 9 Supreme Court judges

Sec. 2 Judicial Powers

A. Hear cases concerning the U.S. Gov’t.

B. Congress may expand the court’s powers.

Sec. 3 TreasonA. Treason - carrying out war against the U.S., or aiding its enemiesB. Congress decides the punishment. Cannot punish the family or take away their possessions.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

ARTICLE 4

THE STATES

Sec. 1: Recognition of Laws

States must recognize laws from other states.

Sec. 2 Citizen’s Rights

A. One state’s citizen has the same rights in another state.B. Extradition - if you are wanted by the law in another state, you can be sent back.

Sec. 3 Adding States

A. Congress has the power to add states.B. None can leave.

Sec. 4: Guarantees to the states

A. Each state has the right to a representative form of gov’t.B. Each state shall be given protection from invasion.

ARTICLE 5 - AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

Sec. 1 AmendmentsAll proposed amendments must be ratified by 3/4 of the states. (38)

ARTICLE 6 - NATIONAL SUPREMACY

A. The Federal Constitution is Supreme.B. All gov’t officials must take an oath to support the Constitution.

ARTICLE 7 - RATIFICATION

A. 9 states must approve.

B. Signed Sept. 17, 1787.

THE 27 AMENDMENTS

1. RASPP

2. Right to Bear Arms

3. Quartering of Soldiers

A. If troops stay in your home, you will be properly compensated.

4. No searches and seizures

A. A search warrant must be filled out.

5. Life, Liberty, Property

A. No Double Jeopardy -

B. Eminent Domain -

C. Self-Incrimination -

6. Rights of the Accused

A. Witnesses must testify in front of the accused.

B. Right to a speedy trial.

7. Right to a trial by Jury

8. Bail and Punishment

A. No large bail

B. No cruel punishments

9. All other rights

A. People have more rights than what is listed in the Const.

10. Rights of the states and people

A. The states get all the powers not specifically given to the federal gov’t.

11. Suits against the states

A. Citizens cannot sue a state without its consent.

B. Congress has made a list for automatic consent.

12. Election of the President and VP

A. If no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House chooses the President.

13. Abolition of Slavery

A. Slavery is abolished in ALL of the U.S.

14. Civil Rights in the States

A. Black citizenship.

B. States must also obey the Bill of Rights.

15. Black Suffrage

A. You cannot be kept from voting because of your race.

16. Income tax

A. Congress can tax people according to their income

17. Direct election of Senators

A. The people vote for the Senators.

18. Prohibition

19. Women’s Suffrage

A. You cannot be kept from voting because of your gender.

20. Lame Duck

A. The Pres term begins Jan 20

B. Congress term begins Jan 3

C. Election Day -

21. Repeal of the 18th

22. Presidential Term of Office

A. 1 term = ?

B. 2 term max.

C. Over two years counts as a term.

D. ? years max.

23. Voting in D.C

A. D. C. is given electoral college votes.

24. No Poll Tax

A. You cannot charge money to vote.

25. Presidential Succession and Disability

A. 1-6 Pres. order.

26. 18 year old vote

A. Vietnam War brought this amendment about.

27. Congressional Salaries

A. Congress can’t pass immediate salary raises for themselves.

B. The raise takes effect after the next election.

C. Proposed on Sept. 25, 1789

Ratified on May 7, 1992