Most Important Constitutional Clauses, US Constitution Articles

Commerce Clause Interstate

Congress can regulate commerce with foreign nations and between different states

Due Process Clause (of 5th amendment)

no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law

Due Process Clause (of 14th amendment) selective incorporation

applies to states - no person shall be deprived of life liberty or property without due process of law

Equal Protection Clause (of 14th amendment)

states must apply the law equally and can't discriminate against people or groups of people

Establishment Clause (of 1st amendment)

Congress can't make a national religion

Free Exercise Clause (of 1st amendment)

all people can practice their religion

I

Establishes the structure, requirements to be a member, and powers of the legislative branch.

II

- President as head of the executive branch

-Lists powers, election process, checks on the branch, and requirements to be president.

III

- Judicial power is regulated to one supreme court

- It and other courts below it have the power to interpret government actions (passing of laws and treaties, etc.)

IV

Outlines duties states have to each other, as well as federal government to states, including

- Overseeing the joining of new states

- Citizens of a state being treated equally in other states

- States guaranteed a republican form of government

V

Amendments (or calling conventions to propose amendments) require a 2/3 majority in the both the Senate and House of Representatives and 3/4 of all the states to be passed

VI

- All debts and engagements that the US is involved with prior to the adoption of the Constitution are still valid

- Constitution is the supreme law of the country

-A ll political members must be under oath to support it, but no religious requirements.

VII

Nine votes needed to ratify Constitution

Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause

Article I, Section 8

Congress has power to make all laws deemed necessary and proper to keep the enumerated powers working

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV, Section 1

Each state must respect public acts, judicial proceedings, records, etc. of every other state

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Article IV, Section 2

Prevents states from treating citizens of another state poorly

Supremacy Clause

Article VI

The Constitution and treaties and laws made under it are the supreme law of the land

Vesting Clause

Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution, which states that "executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America," making the president both the head of government and the head of state.

Advice and Consent Clause

states that the President should use the advice and consent of the senate to appoint federal judges and sign treaties with foreign countries