The Constitution

Article 1

Bicameralism – House of Representatives and Senate (section 1)

Qualifications: (sections 2 and 3)

a. House of Rep.: Must be 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state

b. Senate: Must be 30 years old, a citizen for 9 years and a resident of the state

(senators used to be chosen by each state’s congress until 1913)

Terms: (sections 2 and 3)

a. House – 2 years

b. Senate – 6 years

President of Senate is Vice President, but with no voting power unless there is a need for tiebreaker

Senate impeaches president (sections 3-6)

Each house should police itself

How a bill becomes a law (section 7)

· Simple majority in both houses 50% + 1

· Tax revenue bills must originate in the house of rep.

· To override a veto, 2/3 of both houses must do it

· Veto 10 day waiting period

Congressional Powers (section 8)

· Tax

· Coin $

· Declare war

· Raise army

· Regulate trade

Article 1, section 8, clause 18: “Necessary and Proper” clause – stretches to accommodate a changing world

Powers denied to Congress (Section 9)

· No export tax

· Habeus Corpus can’t be suspended – no jail without formal charges and evidence

· No titles of nobility issued

Powers denied to the states (section 10)

· Can’t make treaties

· Can’t tax imports/exports

· Cannot declare war