The Legislative Branch Article 1 The Legislative Branch

Article 1 Section 1 Congress has two houses The Senate The House of Representatives

House of Representatives Article 1 Section 2 House of Representatives Members are elected by the people of their state Serve a 2 year term Must be 25 years old Must live in the state he/she represents Must be a citizen of the US for 7 years

Could this person be elected as a member of the House? Article 1 Section 2 Could this person be elected as a member of the House? Male 45 years old Born in Germany, moved here when he was 40

Could this person be elected as a member of the House? Article 1 Section 2 Could this person be elected as a member of the House? Female 25 years old Lived in Wisconsin whole life, running for spot in Illinois

Could this person be elected as a member of the House? Article 1 Section 2 Could this person be elected as a member of the House? Male 38 years old Born in Canada, moved here when he was 10 Never graduated from High School

Article 1 Section 2 Members elect the Speaker of the House & other Officials Number of representatives depend on the states population (435 Members of the House) Census is taken every 10 years (on the 0 years)

Article 1 Section 3 Senate 2 senators for each state (100 total senators in Congress) Allowed only 1 vote Elected by the people of the state The Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate

Article 1 Section 3 Serve 6 year term Elections are staggered (1/3 at a time) Must be 30 years old U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years Governor of the state will appoint a replacement if the senator is unable to carry out his/her term

Could this person be elected as a Senator? Article 1 Could this person be elected as a Senator? 27 years old Born and raised in the U.S. Lives in the state that he wants to represent

Could this person be elected as a Senator? Article 1 Could this person be elected as a Senator? 35 years old Born in Russia Moved to U.S. 11 years ago Recently moved to the state he is representing

Could this person be elected as a Senator? Article 1 Could this person be elected as a Senator? 48 years old Born in Canada, but moved to US when he was 12 for the next 5 years before moving back Just moved back to the U.S.

Article 1 Section 4 The section explains when, where & how we elect senators & representatives Congress must meet at least once a year (1st Monday of December) Congress now meets January 3rd as a result of the 20th Amendment

Article 1 Section 5 This sections explain what the Houses can or must do…… They record their sessions (1/5 of members must agree upon this) Over ½ of the House/Senate must be present to conduct business, known as a quorum

Article 1 Section 5 House/Senate may adjourn for up to three days-more than three days- will affect the work of the other house and they will have to adjourn as well. A member can be removed from their position with a 2/3 vote of that House.

Rights & Duties of the Members Article 1 Section 6 Rights & Duties of the Members U.S. Treasury pay their salaries During session, members can not be arrested unless for treason, serious crimes (felony) or breach of peace Can not be punished for anything said during session Members can not hold any other government job while they are in Congress

Article 1 Section 7 How a bill becomes a law. A bill can start in either house of Congress (Tax bills must start in the House of Reps.) A bill must receive a majority of “yes” votes in both houses in order to be sent to the president

Article 1 Section 7 The President has 10 days to act on the bill. He can… Sign it and the bill becomes a law Veto it, then both houses need a 2/3 vote for the bill to become a law He can “put it in his pocket” for 10 days If Congress is still in session after 10 days, it becomes a law If Congress has adjourned by the 10th day, the bill dies

Article 1 Section 8 Congress has the power to make ALL necessary laws over ride any other laws that is called Elastic Clause

Article 1 Section 8 What congress should do…… Propose bills that will hopefully one day will become a law Has the power to tax (House of Reps. only) Can pay national debt They can borrow money (create the national debt)

Article 1 Section 8 They are responsible for the general welfare They are responsible for providing a common defense Regulate foreign trade Regulate the money supply

Article 1 Section 8 Set the rules for naturalization (process to become a U.S. citizen) In charge of setting up post offices (over 31,000) In charge of setting up roads (interstates) Shall set up courts lower than the Supreme Court

What Congress can not do….. Article 1 Section 9 What Congress can not do….. provide punishment for a person without due process or a judicial trial No Ex Post Facto: After the fact Can not tax products from state to state Shall not hand out any noble titles: Duke Lord, Baron All government spending must first be approved Example: President Spending

What the States CAN NOT do….. Article 1 Section 10 What the States CAN NOT do….. Make Treaties with other states or countries Tax products from one state to another Condemn a person to death without a trial (Due Process is needed)

Can not go to war unless they are attacked Article 1 Section 10 Keep an army Can not go to war unless they are attacked