The Constitution

Preamble: sets the goals for the Constitution and government

Article One: the Legislative Branch (law- making branch) Congress= House of Representatives + Senate

House of Representatives: Elected every two years Elected every two years Qualifications: 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, resident of the state represented Qualifications: 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, resident of the state represented Each state’s representation is determined by population as determined by the census. Each state’s representation is determined by population as determined by the census. CA currently has 53 reps, more than any other state CA currently has 53 reps, more than any other state The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House

Senate: Two per state Two per state 1/3 elected every two years 1/3 elected every two years 6 year terms 6 year terms Qualifications: 30 years old, 9 years a citizen, resident of the state represented Qualifications: 30 years old, 9 years a citizen, resident of the state represented Presiding officer: Vice president, who can only vote in the case of a tie Presiding officer: Vice president, who can only vote in the case of a tie President Pro-tem presides when the V.P. is not around (usually) President Pro-tem presides when the V.P. is not around (usually)

Powers of Congress: Taxes Taxes Borrow money Borrow money Naturalization Naturalization Coin money Coin money Postal services Postal services Copyrights and patents Copyrights and patents Declare war! Declare war! Military forces Military forces Elastic clause Elastic clause

Prohibitions on Congress: Habeus corpus Habeus corpus Expost facto Expost facto No favoring states No favoring states No titles of nobility No titles of nobility

How a bill becomes a law: House to Senate to President House to Senate to President Presidential options: Presidential options: Sign it = law Sign it = law Not sign it, return it with objections; must pass both houses with 2/3 vote Not sign it, return it with objections; must pass both houses with 2/3 vote Veto—a veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote of both houses Veto—a veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote of both houses

Article Two: The Executive Branch (the law-executing branch) President has a 4 year term President has a 4 year term Electoral college votes for the president. Electoral votes for each state = number of Senators + number of representatives (CA = = 55) Electoral college votes for the president. Electoral votes for each state = number of Senators + number of representatives (CA = = 55)

In the original election, 1st place was president, 2nd place was v.p. This was changed by the 12th amendment. In the original election, 1st place was president, 2nd place was v.p. This was changed by the 12th amendment. Election day is Tuesday after the first Monday in November Election day is Tuesday after the first Monday in November Qualifications: born a citizen, 35, lived in U.S. for 14 years Qualifications: born a citizen, 35, lived in U.S. for 14 years Salary cannot be lowered or raised while in office Salary cannot be lowered or raised while in office

Powers of the Executive Commander in Chief of all armed forces Commander in Chief of all armed forces Power to Pardon, except in the case of impeachments Power to Pardon, except in the case of impeachments Treaty powers, with 2/3 approval from the Senate Treaty powers, with 2/3 approval from the Senate May appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court justices with the consent of the Senate May appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court justices with the consent of the Senate Must give a State of the Union address Must give a State of the Union address

Article Three: The Judicial Branch (law- reviewing branch) 9 Supreme Court justices Federal judges hold office for life (except in the case of impeachments) Salary cannot be lowered while in office Jurisdiction: the right to hear a case

Powers of the Supreme Court Original jurisdiction when involving a foreign country or a state Original jurisdiction when involving a foreign country or a state Appellate jurisdiction after lower courts hear the case first Appellate jurisdiction after lower courts hear the case first Treason: there must be two witnesses or a confession must be made in court Treason: there must be two witnesses or a confession must be made in court Punishment for treason set by Congress, only for the guilty, not family members or heirs Punishment for treason set by Congress, only for the guilty, not family members or heirs