Constitution

A1S1

Congress: All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

A2S1

Establishes the office of the President and the Vice-President, both serve four year terms

Presidents are elected by the Electoral College.

Must be 35 years old. Must be born in the USA.

Their pay cannot change, up or down, as long as he is in office.

A1S3

The Senate: Each state is entitled to two senators, chosen by the legislature for six-year terms. Vice President is the President of the Senate

A1S2

Defines the House of Representatives, known as the lower house of Congress.

Must be 25 years old, and serve a term of two years. Must have been a citizen for 7 years.

Each state gets Representatives based on the state’s population.

Has a leader called the Speaker of the House.

A1S4

Elections: State legislatures can determine how congressional elections are to be held, and Congress meets at least once per year

A1S5

Powers and Duties: Congress must have a minimum number of members present in order to meet, and either house can adjourn without the permission of the other

A1S6

Rights and Disabilities of Members: Members are paid and cannot hold any other office in the government while in the Congress.

A1S9

Powers Denied Congress: Cannot pass laws that make things illegal starting yesterday or last week, or give preference to one state over another. Congress cannot spend money without permission

A1S8

Powers of Congress: Congress has the power to establish and maintain an army and navy

A1S7

Legislative Process: The House and the Senate must agree to the same wording on a bill before it is sent to the President

A1S10

States can’t make their own money, declare war, or tax goods from other states

A2S2

• The President leads the armed forces.

• He has a Cabinet (a group of advisors) to help him. The President can pardon criminals.

• He can make treaties (agreements) with other nations, but 2/3 of the Senate has to approve of the treaty.

• Chooses many of the judges and other members of the government.

A2S3

President must give a yearly speech to the nation, give suggestions to Congress, meet with Ambassadors and other heads of state from other nations, ensure the laws of the United States are carried out.

A2S4

Explains how to kick the president out of office, called impeachment.

A3S1

Establishes the Supreme Court

Judges serve for life or until they want to retire

A3S2

Guarantees trial by jury in criminal court

Says what cases the Supreme Court must decide

A3S3

Defines the crime of treason (trying to overthrow your country’s government or helping your country’s enemies during war)

A4S1

All states will honor the laws of all other states

A4S2

Citizens of one state are treated equally and fairly like all citizens of another.

If a person accused of a crime in one state flees to another, he/she will be returned to the state that person fled from.

A4S3

How new states can become part of the United States

Explains who controls federal lands

A4S4

Ensures “Power by the People” government

Guarantees federal government will protect the states against invasion

A5

How to change the Constitution

• 2/3 of the Representatives must vote on the change

• 2/3 of the Senators must vote on the change.

• 3/4 of the States must vote for the change

A6

Concerns the United States

• Constitution and all laws and treaties are the supreme law of the country

• All officers of the United States pledge loyalty to the US and the Constitution

A7

Explains how the Constitution was agreed to

9 of the 13 original states in the United States had to accept the Constitution before it would officially go into effect