US Constitution Guide

What are the six specific purposes of government identified in the Preamble to the Constitution?

1. Form a more perfect union

2. Establish justice

3. Protect citizens from internal conflict

4. Defend nation against foreign enemies

5. Protect the well-being of its citizens

6. Protect citizens freedom

Legislative Branch’s job is to …..

Make laws

Article 1 Section 1: Who has the legislative power?

Congress

Article 1 Section 1: What does it consist of?

Senate and the House of Representatives

Article 1 Section 2: Is all about which house of Congress?

House of Representatives

Article 1 Section 2: How many members are in the House of Representatives?

435 members

Article 1 Section 2: Who elects Representatives?

People/voters

Article 1 Section 2: How long is the term of office

2 years

Article 1 Section 2: What are the 3 qualifications for a Representative?

1. At least 25 years old

2. U.S. citizen for at least 7 years

3. Must live in the state they represent

Article 1 Section 2: What Constitutional Compromise endorsed how many Representatives a state gets?

The Great Compromise

Article 1 Section 2: What is a census?

Official population count that is every 10 years

Article 1 Section 2: Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representative

The Speaker of the House (right now it is Mike Johnson)

Article 1 Section 2: How is the Speaker of the House chosen?

Voted in by the House of Representatives

Article 1 Section 2: What is impeachmen ?

Formal accusation that a government official committed wrongdoing

Article 1 Section 2: What is the House of Representatives role with impeachment?

The House brings impeachment charges and votes on them

Article 1 Section 3: Is all about which house of Congress?

The Senate

Article 1 Section 3: How many Senators does each state get and what is the term?

2 Senators per state and the term is 6 years (Illinois Senators are Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin)

Article 1 Section 3: What are the qualifications for a Senator?

1. At least 30 years old

2. Citizen for 9 years minimum

3. Resident of the state represented

Article 1 Section 3: How were Senators originally chosen? Which amendment changed this?

They were originally chosen by state legislators. 17th Amendment changed this by having voters directly elect senators.

Article 1 Section 3: Who is the current presiding officer of the Senate and when do they vote?

JD Vance was chosen by senate and can only can vote to break a tie

Article 1 Section 3: When the presiding officer is absent, who takes over?

The President Pro Tempore of the Senate (Chuck Grassley)

Article 1 Section 3: What is the Senate’s responsibility in impeachment?

Senate holds the impeachment trial and decides guilt or innocence. If the person is found guilty, then they are removed from office and possible disqualification from future office.

Article 1 Section 4: When and how often does the Congress meet?

They meet at least once every year, it currently begins January 3rd. The 20th Amendment changed this date.

Article 1 Section 5: What is a quorum?

Minimum number of members required to be present