the US constitution

march 4, 1789

preamble

we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain the establish this constitution for the united states of america

article 1 section 1

the congress is consist of the senate and the house of representatives

article 1 section 2 clause 1

the house of representatives is elected every 2 years by the people of the states

article 1 section 2 clause 2

representatives must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for 7 years

article 1 section 2 clause 3

mandates a census every 10 years to apportion the number of house of representatives.

article 1 section 2 clause 4

To fill vacancies in the house of representatives the state executives issue writs of elections

article 1 section 2 clause 5

the house of representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers and initiate impeachment proceedings against federal officials

article 1 section 3 clause 1

each states have 2 senators for maximum of 6 year terms; each senator have 1 vote

article 1 section 3 clause 2

Senates are divided into 3 classes where a third is elected in 2 years, 4 years, or 6 years. During vacancies the state executive can appoint a temporary senator

article 1 section 3 clause 3

Senators must be at least 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years

article 1 section 3 clause 4

The vice president is the president of the senate and can only vote if there is a tie

article 1 section 3 clause 5

the senate chooses their own officers (secretary of senate, sergeant at arms, chaplain, and party secretaries) including the president pro tempore

article 1 section 3 clause 6

The senate try all impeachments on oath or affirmation. when the president is tried the chief justice must be present and two thirds of the senate must be present

article 1 section 3 clause 7

judgement of impeachments shall not extend further than removal from office and disqualifications from holding future federal offices

article 1 section 4 clause 1

the time, place, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be made by the state legislatures however congress can make or alter regulations except for choosing the place of senators

article 1 section 4 clause 2

the congress assemble at least once a year originally meeting on the 1st monday in december unless appointed a different day by law

article 1 section 5 clause 1

Each house of congress is the final judge of its own members elections, returns, and qualifications. A majority of each house is mandated to constitute a quorum to do business but a small number is allowed to compel attendance of absent members. each house can set its own rules for penalties and the process of compelling attendance

article 1 section 5 clause 2

each house has the authority to set its own rules for proceedings, punish members for disorderly behavior and two thirds agreement to expel a member

article 1 section 5 clause 3

requires each house to keep a record of its proceedings and from time to time publish it with the record of votes at the request of one fifth of those present, excluding confidential matters.

article 1 section 5 clause 4

prohibits the houses from adjourning for more than 3 days or moving to a different location without the consent of the other chamber during a session of congress

article 1 section 6 clause 1

The senators and representatives are paid for their services with the amount determined by law and paid by the federal treasury. Members are privileged from arrest while attending sessions except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace

article 1 section 6 clause 2

no senator or representatives during their term can be appointed to and hold any other federal offices

article 1 section 7 clause 1

All bills for raising revenue must originate in the house of representatives. The senate however may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills

article 1 section 7 clause 2

every bill which has passed the house of representatives and the senate will be presented to the president. The president has 10 days to sign it into law or veto it, returning it to congress with objections. Congress can override a veto with a two thirds vote from both houses.

article 1 section 7 clause 3

All concurrent order, resolutions, or votes requiring concurrence of both houses, except adjournment questions, must be presented to the president to take effect

article 1 section 8 clause 1

congress have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the US

article 1 section 8 clause 2

congress is allowed to borrow money on the credit of the US

article 1 section 8 clause 3

congress is allowed to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states

article 1 section 8 clause 4

congress is allowed to establish uniform rules for naturalization and uniform laws regarding to bankruptcies throughout the US

article 1 section 8 clause 5

congress is allowed to coin money, regulate the value of US currency as well as foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures

article 1 section 8 clause 6

congress is allowed to punish for counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the US

article 1 section 8 clause 7

congress is allowed to establish post offices and routes

article 1 section 8 clause 8

congress authorizes federal copyright and patent law

article 1 section 8 clause 9

congress can constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court

article 1 section 8 clause 10

congress defines and punish piracies and felonies committed on international waters and offences against the law of nations

article 1 section 8 clause 11

congress is allowed to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, make rules concerning captures on land and water

article 1 section 8 clause 12

congress can raise and support armies but limits funding appropriations to a maximum of 2 years

article 1 section 8 clause 13

congress provides and maintain a navy

article 1 section 8 clause 14

congress make rules of the government and regulations of the land and naval forces

article 1 section 8 clause 15

congress can pass laws calling forth the militia to execute federal laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions

article 1 section 8 clause 16

congress is responsible for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia and govern those employed by the US

article 1 section 8 clause 17

grants congress exclusive power to create and govern the capital (district of columbia) of US

article 1 section 8 clause 18

congress can pass all laws that are necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers and all other powers vested in the government.

article 1 section 9 clause 1

prohibited congress from banning slave trading until 1808

article 1 section 9 clause 2

the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless of cases of rebellion or invasion for public safety

article 1 section 9 clause 3

no bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed

article 1 section 9 clause 4

capitation or other direct tax must be proportional to the census

article 1 section 9 clause 5

no tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state

article 1 section 9 clause 6

no preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over another. Ships traveling between states cannot be forced to stop, clear customs, or pay fees in another state

article 1 section 9 clause 7

no money can be drawn from the treasury unless in consequence of appropriations made by law with a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time

article 1 section 9 clause 8

government cannot grant titles of nobility and officeholders to accept gits, titles, or emoluments from foreign states without congressional consent

article 1 section 10 clause 1

no state can enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation, grant letters of marque and reprisal, coin money, issuing bills of credit, make anything but gold/silver legal tender, passing bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, impairing contract obligations, or granting titles of nobility

article 1 section 10 clause 2

no state can lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports unless absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws without the consent of congress. Any revenue made by state inspection laws on imports and exports must be paid to the US treasury

article 1 section 10 clause 3

no state can lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with foreign power, engage in war unless of invasion and imminent danger without the consent of congress

article 2 section 1 clause 1

executive power is given to the president with a 4 year term along with a vice president chosen for the same term

article 2 section 1 clause 2

each state legislatures determine the method for appointing electors equal to its total number of senators and representatives while prohibiting federal officials from serving as electors

article 2 section 1 clause 3

electors voted by ballot for two people to become president, with the 2nd highest vote as the vice president.

article 2 section 1 clause 4

congress determine the time of choosing the electors and day they would give their vote which applies through the whole US

article 2 section 1 clause 5

Only a natural born citizen who is at least 35 years old and a resident for 14 years is eligible to run for president

article 2 section 1 clause 6

in the case of the removal, death, resignation, or inability of the president the vice president takes over with officers as successors

article 2 section 1 clause 7

the presidents pay cannot be increased or decreased after he has been elected and cannot receive any other emoluments

article 2 section 1 clause 8

Before a president takes office, he must take the following oath/affirmation, “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states”

article 2 section 2 clause 1

the president becomes the commander in chief of the military. the president can require written opinions from the principal officer (secretary) of each executive department regarding their duties. the president is able to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the US except in cases of impeachment

article 2 section 2 clause 2

the president is able to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, supreme court judges, and all other officers of the US with the advice and consent of the senate with two thirds senate concurrence.

article 2 section 2 clause 3

the president have the power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the senate which will expire at the end of their next session

article 2 section 3

the president from time to time must provide congress information of the state of the union, recommending legislation, receiving foreign ambassadors, taking care that laws are faithfully executed, and commissioning officers.

article 2 section 4

the president, vice president, and all civil officers will be removed from office on impeachment for and convicted of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors

article 3 section 1

the judicial branch belongs to the supreme court and lower federal courts established by congress. The judges both supreme and inferior courts hold their offices during good behavior (serve life terms unless removed by impeachment) and payment which cannot be diminished during their term

article 3 section 2 clause 1

the judicial power extends to all cases, in law and equity, including cases arising under the constitution, federal law, treaties, affecting ambassadors, and disputes between states or citizens of different states

article section 2 clause 2