Article I (Simplified)

Unit IIIUnit III

Section 1. CongressSection 1. Congress

Section 1. Congress

The power to make laws is given to a Congress made up of two chambers (bicameral): the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Section 1. Congress

The power to make laws is given to a Congress made up of two chambers (bicameral): the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Section 2. House of RepresentativesSection 2. House of Representatives

1. Election and Term of Office

Every two years the voters choose new Congress members to serve in the House of Representatives.

1. Election and Term of Office

Every two years the voters choose new Congress members to serve in the House of Representatives.

2. Qualifications

Representatives must be 25 years old, citizens of the United States for 7 years, and residents of the state and the district they represent.

2. Qualifications

Representatives must be 25 years old, citizens of the United States for 7 years, and residents of the state and the district they represent.

3. Divisions of Representatives among the States

The number of representatives from each state is based on the size of the state’s population (Census). Each state is entitled to at least one representative. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives.

3. Divisions of Representatives among the States

The number of representatives from each state is based on the size of the state’s population (Census). Each state is entitled to at least one representative. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives.

4. Vacancies

Vacancies in the House are filled through special elections called by the state’s governor.

4. Vacancies

Vacancies in the House are filled through special elections called by the state’s governor.

5. Officers

The Speaker of the House is the leader of the majority party in the House and responsible for choosing the various heads of House Committees.

Also, impeachment indictments are brought forth in the House.

5. Officers

The Speaker of the House is the leader of the majority party in the House and responsible for choosing the various heads of House Committees.

Also, impeachment indictments are brought forth in the House.

Section 3. The Senate

1. Number of Members, Terms of Office, and Voting Procedure

Originally, Senators were chosen by state legislatures of their own states. The 17th Amendment changed this, so that Senators are now elected directly by the people. There are 100 Senators, two from each state.

Section 3. The Senate

1. Number of Members, Terms of Office, and Voting Procedure

Originally, Senators were chosen by state legislatures of their own states. The 17th Amendment changed this, so that Senators are now elected directly by the people. There are 100 Senators, two from each state.

2. Staggered Elections

One-third of the Senate is elected every two years. Temporary appointments may be made each state’s governor.

2. Staggered Elections

One-third of the Senate is elected every two years. Temporary appointments may be made each state’s governor.

3. Qualifications

Senators must be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States for at least 9 years, and residents of the state they are to represent.

3. Qualifications

Senators must be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States for at least 9 years, and residents of the state they are to represent.

4. President of the Senate

The Vice President (Executive Branch) presides over the Senate and votes if there is a tie. When the Vice President is not in attendance, the President Protempore, the most senior member of the majority party, presides over the chamber.

4. President of the Senate

The Vice President (Executive Branch) presides over the Senate and votes if there is a tie. When the Vice President is not in attendance, the President Protempore, the most senior member of the majority party, presides over the chamber.

5. Officers

Selection of the officers of the Senate are in accordance with majority and minority party status.

5. Officers

Selection of the officers of the Senate are in accordance with majority and minority party status.

6. Trial of Impeachment

The Senate tries impeachment cases. The Chief Justice acts as the judge and the Senate acts as the jury. A two-thirds vote by members present is needed to convict.

6. Trial of Impeachment

The Senate tries impeachment cases. The Chief Justice acts as the judge and the Senate acts as the jury. A two-thirds vote by members present is needed to convict.

7. Penalty for Conviction

If the Senate convicts an official, it may only remove the official from office and prevent that person from holding another federal position. The convicted official may still be tried in a regular court of law. The most common method of the Senate to show disfavor is to censure the individual. If that is not considered several enough, they may opt for expulsion. This only applies to their members and not to the Executive or Judicial Branches.

7. Penalty for Conviction

If the Senate convicts an official, it may only remove the official from office and prevent that person from holding another federal position. The convicted official may still be tried in a regular court of law. The most common method of the Senate to show disfavor is to censure the individual. If that is not considered several enough, they may opt for expulsion. This only applies to their members and not to the Executive or Judicial Branches.

Section 4. Elections and Meetings

1. Holding Elections

Each state determines its own rules for congressional elections. Congress, however, can overrule state election laws.

Section 4. Elections and Meetings

1. Holding Elections

Each state determines its own rules for congressional elections. Congress, however, can overrule state election laws.

2. Meetings

The 20th Amendment changed the date of the opening of the regular session of Congress to January 03.

2. Meetings

The 20th Amendment changed the date of the opening of the regular session of Congress to January 03.

Section 5. Organizations and Rules of Procedure

1. Organization 2. Rules

Each house sets its own rules.

Section 5. Organizations and Rules of Procedure

1. Organization 2. Rules

Each house sets its own rules.

3. Journals

A complete official record of everything said on the floor is available in the Congressional Record.

4. Adjournment

3. Journals

A complete official record of everything said on the floor is available in the Congressional Record.

4. Adjournment

Section 6. Privileges and Restrictions

1. Pay and Privileges

Congressional salaries are paid by the United States Treasury rather than by member’s respective states. Also, members cannot be sued or be prosecuted for anything they say in Congress. They cannot be arrested while Congress is in session, except for treason, major crimes, or breaking the peace.

Section 6. Privileges and Restrictions

1. Pay and Privileges

Congressional salaries are paid by the United States Treasury rather than by member’s respective states. Also, members cannot be sued or be prosecuted for anything they say in Congress. They cannot be arrested while Congress is in session, except for treason, major crimes, or breaking the peace.

2. Restrictions

No member of Congress may pass laws that would benefit them personally.

2. Restrictions

No member of Congress may pass laws that would benefit them personally.

Section 7. Passing Laws

1. Revenue Bills

All tax bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Section 7. Passing Laws

1. Revenue Bills

All tax bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

2. How a Bill becomes a law [see How a Bill becomes law notes]

3. Presidential Veto or Approval

2. How a Bill becomes a law [see How a Bill becomes law notes]

3. Presidential Veto or Approval

Section 8. Powers Granted to Congress

1. Revenue

Taxes must be levied at the same rate throughout the nation.

Section 8. Powers Granted to Congress

1. Revenue

Taxes must be levied at the same rate throughout the nation.

2. Borrowing

The federal government borrows money by issuing bonds or credit on the United States. (Deficit Spending)

2. Borrowing

The federal government borrows money by issuing bonds or credit on the United States. (Deficit Spending)

3. Commerce

Congress regulates foreign and interstate commerce.

3. Commerce

Congress regulates foreign and interstate commerce.

4. Naturalization and Bankruptcy

Naturalization refers to the procedure by which a citizen of a foreign nation becomes a citizen of the United States as well as imposing uniform laws for bankruptcy in the United States.

4. Naturalization and Bankruptcy

Naturalization refers to the procedure by which a citizen of a foreign nation becomes a citizen of the United States as well as imposing uniform laws for bankruptcy in the United States.

5. Currency

Control over currency is exclusively reserved for the federal government.

5. Currency

Control over currency is exclusively reserved for the federal government.

6. Counterfeiting

Congress shall have the authority to issue penalties for the forging of American currency.

6. Counterfeiting

Congress shall have the authority to issue penalties for the forging of American currency.

7. Post Office

Congress is given the sole authority to establish post offices and post roads.

7. Post Office

Congress is given the sole authority to establish post offices and post roads.

8. Copyrights and Patents

Congress has the right to pass copyrights and patents laws.

8. Copyrights and Patents

Congress has the right to pass copyrights and patents laws.

9. Courts

Congress may establish a federal court system inferior to the U.S. Supreme Court.

9. Courts

Congress may establish a federal court system inferior to the U.S. Supreme Court.

10. Piracy

Congress protects American ships on the high seas.

10. Piracy

Congress protects American ships on the high seas.

11. Declare War

Congress has the sole authority to declare war but may pass resolutions granting the power to wage war to the President.

12. Army 13. Navy

11. Declare War

Congress has the sole authority to declare war but may pass resolutions granting the power to wage war to the President.

12. Army 13. Navy

14. Rules for the Armed Forces

Congress may pass regulations that deal with military discipline.

14. Rules for the Armed Forces

Congress may pass regulations that deal with military discipline.

15. Militia

The Militia is now called the National Guard which is organized by the States.

16. National Guard

Congress has the right to pass laws governing the National Guard’s behavior.

15. Militia

The Militia is now called the National Guard which is organized by the States.

16. National Guard

Congress has the right to pass laws governing the National Guard’s behavior.

17. Nation’s Capital

This clause gives Congress the right to make laws for Washington, D.C. and to create our federal city.

17. Nation’s Capital

This clause gives Congress the right to make laws for Washington, D.C. and to create our federal city.

18. Elastic Clause

This is the so-called Elastic clause of the Constitution. The necessary and proper laws must be related to one of the 17 enumerated or stated powers.

18. Elastic Clause

This is the so-called Elastic clause of the Constitution. The necessary and proper laws must be related to one of the 17 enumerated or stated powers.

Section 9. Powers Denied to the Federal Government

1. Slave Trade

Congress could not ban the slave trade before 1808.

Section 9. Powers Denied to the Federal Government

1. Slave Trade

Congress could not ban the slave trade before 1808.

2. Habeas Corpus

A writ of habeas corpus requires a law official to bring a prisoner to court and show cause for holding the prisoner. The writ may be suspended only during wartime.

2. Habeas Corpus

A writ of habeas corpus requires a law official to bring a prisoner to court and show cause for holding the prisoner. The writ may be suspended only during wartime.

3. Bills of Attainder

Congress cannot pass any bill of attainder or ex post facto laws. A bill of attainder is a bill that punishes a person without a jury trial and an ex post facto law is a law that makes an act a crime after the act has been committed.

3. Bills of Attainder

Congress cannot pass any bill of attainder or ex post facto laws. A bill of attainder is a bill that punishes a person without a jury trial and an ex post facto law is a law that makes an act a crime after the act has been committed.

4. Direct Taxes

Congress was initially forbid from collected taxes directly from Americans. However, the 16th Amendment gave Congress the ability to pass an income tax.

4. Direct Taxes

Congress was initially forbid from collected taxes directly from Americans. However, the 16th Amendment gave Congress the ability to pass an income tax.

5. Tax on Exports

Congress may not tax goods that move from one state to another.

5. Tax on Exports

Congress may not tax goods that move from one state to another.

6. Uniformity of Treatment

Congress may not favor one state or region over another. However, since all money bills must originate in the House of Representatives, it is possible for this to happen if a large state or geographic region can get together on an issue.

6. Uniformity of Treatment

Congress may not favor one state or region over another. However, since all money bills must originate in the House of Representatives, it is possible for this to happen if a large state or geographic region can get together on an issue.

7. Appropriation Law

All of the President’s expenditures must be made with the permission of Congress.

7. Appropriation Law

All of the President’s expenditures must be made with the permission of Congress.

8. Titles of Nobility

This clause prevents the development of a nobility in the United States.

8. Titles of Nobility

This clause prevents the development of a nobility in the United States.

Article I

Unit IIIUnit III