Article 1

Article I - The Legislative Branch

Section 1: Legislative Powers

  • All legislative powers are vested in Congress, which consists of:

    • Senate

    • House of Representatives

Section 2: The House of Representatives

  • Composition:

    • Members elected every two years by the people of the states.

    • Electors in each State must meet the qualifications for the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.

  • Qualifications for Representatives:

    • Must be at least 25 years old.

    • Must have been a citizen of the U.S. for at least seven years.

    • Must be an inhabitant of the State where elected.

  • Representation:

    • Representatives and direct taxes apportioned based on population:

      • Calculated by counting free persons and three-fifths of all other persons, excluding non-taxed Indians.

    • Actual enumeration occurs every ten years.

  • Apportionment:

    • Maximum of 1 Representative per 30,000 people, with at least one Representative per state.

    • Initial distribution before enumeration:

      • New Hampshire: 3

      • Massachusetts: 8

      • Rhode Island: 1

      • Connecticut: 5

      • New York: 6

      • New Jersey: 4

      • Pennsylvania: 8

      • Delaware: 1

      • Maryland: 6

      • Virginia: 10

      • North Carolina: 5

      • South Carolina: 5

      • Georgia: 3

  • Vacancies:

    • State Executive Authority will issue Writs of Election to fill vacancies.

  • House powers:

    • Selects its Speaker and officers.

    • Sole power of impeachment.

Section 3: The Senate

  • Composition:

    • Two Senators from each State, chosen by the State Legislature for six-year terms.

  • Qualifications for Senators:

    • Must be at least 30 years old.

    • Must have been a citizen of the U.S. for at least nine years.

    • Must be an inhabitant of the State where elected.

  • Voting and Classes:

    • One vote per Senator.

    • Senators divided into three classes for staggered elections.

  • Vacancies:

    • Temporary appointments made by the State Executive until the Legislature meets.

  • Leadership:

    • Vice President is the President of the Senate, with no vote unless equally divided.

    • Senate elects other officers and a President pro tempore in the Vice President's absence.

  • Impeachment:

    • Sole power to try impeachments, presided over by the Chief Justice for presidential trials.

    • Conviction requires a two-thirds majority.

    • Judgment limited to removal and disqualification from office.

Section 4: Elections

  • Times, places, and manner of elections set by each State Legislature, with Congress having authority to regulate.

  • Congress must meet at least once a year on the first Monday in December, unless otherwise stipulated by law.

Section 5: House and Senate Procedures

  • Each House judges the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members.

  • A quorum consists of a majority.

  • Smaller numbers can adjourn and compel attendance of absent members.

  • Each House sets its own rules, can punish disorderly behavior, and can expel a member with two-thirds concurrence.

  • Journals of proceedings must be kept and published, with Yeas and Nays recorded upon request of one-fifth of members present.

Section 6: Privileges of Members

  • Compensation for services determined by law and paid from the U.S. Treasury.

  • Members privileged from arrest, except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of peace during attendance at sessions, and for speeches and debates.

  • No member can hold a civil office created or the emoluments raised during their term.

Section 7: Legislative Process

  • Revenue bills originate in the House; Senate may propose amendments.

  • Bills must pass both Houses and be presented to the President:

    • If approved, signed into law.

    • If disapproved, returned with objections for reconsideration.

    • Re-passing the bill requires two-thirds majority in both Houses.

  • If not returned by the President in ten days, the bill becomes law unless Congress adjourns preventing return.

  • Orders, resolutions, or votes require approval from the President unless repassed by two-thirds of both Houses.

Section 8: Powers of Congress

  • Taxation and borrowing authority:

    • Power to lay and collect taxes, duties, and imposts.

    • Uniform duties across the U.S.

  • Regulation of commerce:

    • Authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states.

  • Naturalization and bankruptcy laws:

    • Establish uniform rules for naturalization and bankruptcy throughout the U.S.

  • Coining money:

    • Authority to coin money and regulate its value.

Section 9: Limits on Congress

  • Migration or importation of persons cannot be prohibited until 1808 but may incur a tax.

  • Writ of Habeas Corpus cannot be suspended except in cases of rebellion or invasion.

  • Bills of Attainder and ex post facto laws are prohibited.

  • No capitation tax unless in proportion to the census.

  • No taxes laid on exports from states.

  • No preferential treatment for one state's ports over another.

  • No money drawn from Treasury without appropriations made by law.

  • No titles of nobility shall be granted.

Section 10: Limits on States

  • States cannot enter treaties, coin money, or create their own laws that violate the Constitution without congressional consent.

  • States cannot keep troops in peace or engage in war without congressional approval unless in imminent danger.