The 7 Articles to the Constitution

Article 1: The Legislature

The Legislative Branch

*The Legislative branch, or Congress, makes the laws.

*Congress includes two houses: The House of Representatives and Senate.

House of Representatives

1. Be at least 25 years old2. Be a U.S. citizen for the past 7 years.

3. Live in the state they represent.

4. Each state has 1 representative for every 30,000 people.

5. Serve a 2 year term (no term limits)

Senate1. Be at least 30 years old2. Be a U.S. citizen for the past 9 years

3. Live in the state they represent.

4. Each state has 2 senators

5. Serve a 6 year term (no term limits)

6. Vice President of the U.S. is the President of the Senate.

Capitol Building

How a Bill becomes a Law

*House and Senate introduces a bill to their own committee.

*They can approve, rewrite, or kill the bill.

*They vote on their own version of the bill.

*If the bill passes, it goes to the President.

How a Bill becomes a Law*The

president either passes or vetoes (declines) the bill.

 *If vetoed, Congress can override the veto with 2/3 majority vote.

*The bill is now a law.

Powers of Congress:*Levy and collect

taxes.*Coin money/regulate its value

*Establish post offices and roads.

*Define and punish piracies and felonies.

Powers of Congress:

*Declare war*Raise and support an armies/navy.

*Make laws necessary and proper to execute the powers of Congress.

Article 2: The Executive

The Executive Branch*The Executive branch

enforces the laws. *Headed by the President of the United States.

*Also includes the Vice-President, cabinet members, and heads of other agencies.

Qualifications of President:

*Must be at least 35 years old.

*A natural born U.S. citizen.

*Lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

*Serves a term of four years.

Qualifications of President:*Can only serve two

terms total – 8 yrs. (22nd amendment in 1951 limited the terms)

*Elected by the entire country and electoral college.

President and Vice-President

Barack Obama Joe Biden

Powers as President*Commander-In-Chief of

armed forces.*Authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war.

*Make treaties with other nations (Senate must approve).

*Appoints ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices, and other officials (Senate majority approval).

Powers as President*Approves laws passed

by Congress.*Grants reprieves and pardons for Federal crimes.

*Appoints federal judges (Senate majority approval).

*Gives the State of the Union Address.

Article 3: The Judiciary

The Judicial Branch*The Judicial branch evaluates laws.

*It hears cases that challenge legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President.

*It consists of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.

The Judicial Branch*The Supreme Court is the highest court and has final say.

*Composed of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

*Nominated by President and confirmed by the Senate.

Supreme Court Justice

*Is appointed for life, unless they resign, retire, are removed due to a conviction of a crime, or die.

*There is no minimum age.

*No time of citizenship requirements.

Article 4: Relations Among States

*States must honor one another’s laws, records, and court rulings.

*Rights of citizens does not change from state to state – it is consistent.

*It guarantees a republican form of government for every state.

Article 5: Amending the Constitution*Proposing

Amendments:-2/3rd’s vote of both houses of Congress or 2/3rd’s of several state legislatures, will call a convention for proposing amendments.

Article 5: Amending the Constitution

*Ratifying Amendments:

-3/4th’s approval of state legislatures or 3/4th’s approval at a state convention.

Article 6: Supremacy of the National Gov’t.

*Debts acquired or owed before adoption of the Constitution still remained.

*The Constitution is the ultimate law.

*All government officials must promise to be loyal and uphold the Constitution.

Article 7: Ratification

*Nine of the 13 states (3/4 majority) had to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect.