The Structure, Function, and Powers of the Legislative Branch Article I of the constitution

The Primary Function of the Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution Legislative Branch (called Congress) Make Laws

The Structure of the Legislative Branch Article I, Section 1 Congress is divided into TWO Houses (called bicameral) House of Representatives The amount of representation from each state is based on population Senate Each state gets two Senators

The Structure of the Legislative Branch Article I, Section 2 To be a member of the House of Representatives, you must: be at least 25 years old be a citizen for at least 7 years (either by birth OR through naturalization) live in the district of the state you represent

The Structure of the Legislative Branch Article I, Section 3 To be a member of the Senate, you must: be at least 30 years old be a citizen for at least 9 years (either by birth OR through naturalization) live in the state you represent

Article I, Section 2 Structure: Power: Explains how districts are determined The House of Representatives has a leader called the Speaker of the House Article I, Section 2 Power: Power of Impeachment (accuse a government official of wrongdoing)

Article I, Section 3 Function: Power: Vice President is president of the Senate VP votes only to break ties Senate conducts impeachment trial Article I, Section 3 Power: Only the Senate decides whether or not to remove someone from office (impeachment trial) Only the Senate can approve treaties

Article I, Section 4 Function: Power: State legislatures decide how congressional elections are held Congress decides how often it will meet Article I, Section 4 Power: Congress has the power to change election rules to protect voters

Article I, Section 5 Structure: Each House can judge elections, create their own rules to manage themselves Each House must have a majority present in order to conduct business Each House must keep a journal of their activities Article I, Section 5

Article I, Section 6 Structure: Members of Congress are paid by the U.S. Treasury They cannot hold another office while serving in Congress Article I, Section 6

Article I, Section 7 Function: Power: The House is where all taxing and spending bills start Explains how a bill becomes law (more on that later!) Article I, Section 7 Power: Only the House of Representatives can introduce a bill that involves taxes

Article I, Section 8 Function: Both Houses can decide naturalization laws Article I, Section 8

Article I, Section 8 Types of Powers: Concurrent Powers Enumerated (delegated) Powers Implied Powers Article I, Section 8

TYPES OF POWER IN ARTICLE I, Section 8 Concurrent Powers Powers that are shared between the federal & state government Example: the power to tax

TYPES OF POWER IN ARTICLE I, Section 8 Enumerated (delegated) Powers Powers that are specifically listed or given to Congress Example:

Article I, Section 8 Enumerated Powers Set taxes (most important) Spend federal money (most important) Coin money Create the postal service Raise & support the armed forces Create lower federal courts Declare war Regulate trade Article I, Section 8 Enumerated Powers

TYPES OF POWER IN ARTICLE I Implied Powers Powers for Congress that the decide are “necessary and proper” to function Comes from Article I, Section 8, Clause 1called the “Elastic Clause” (because Congress can ‘stretch’ their powers Examples:

Article I, Section 8 Implied Powers Draft Americans into the military Regulate immigration and naturalization Limiting what can be sent in the mail Ban discrimination in schools and the workplace Article I, Section 8 Implied Powers

Article I, Section 9 Function: Congress could not ban slavery until 1808 Guarantees the rights of the people accused of a crime Congress has to keep track of money being spent Congress cannot give titles (king, prince, lord, etc.) Article I, Section 9

Article I, Section 10 Power: Limits the power of states (remember the Articles of Confederation??) Article I, Section 10