1. THE CONSTITUTION
Dror Timen

2. The Preamble The purpose of establishing the Constitution
To form a more perfect union
To create justice for all and to ensure domestic tranquility
To provide for the common defense
To establish welfare for all
To secure liberty for the current generation and generations to come
The Preamble

3. The Legislative Branch
Article 1:
Congress represents this branch of the government
The Legislative Branch is made up by two houses, the Senate and House of Representatives
The Legislative Branch

4. Section 2: The House of Representatives
Each term is 2 years
To qualify for an official position in this house, you must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the U.S. for 7 years, and cannot represent the state in which he/she inhabits
Each state shall have a minimum of 1 representative
The amount of representatives per state is based on the population, with 1 representative per 30,000 citizens
A census occurs every 10 years to change the number of representatives in the House
Article 1:
Section 2: The House of Representatives

5. 17th amendment allowed for the direct election of senators
Each term is 6 years
Staggered system: 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election every other year
To qualify for the job, you must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and you cannot represent the state in which you inhabit
The Vice President is the president of the Senate
The officer in charge if the Vice President is absent is called the President Pro-Tempore
Their main job is to keep the president in check through using impeachments and such
Section 3: The Senate

6. Section 4 and 5: Elections and Meetings/ Rules and Procedures
Opening day for Congress begins on the noon of January 3rd
Each meeting must have a quorum (the minimum amount of people needed to attend a meeting for it to be valid)
The rules that are established for the House are somewhat stricter than those of the Senate because of its size and because of the bonding tie that the House of Representatives has to the constitution
Section 4 and 5: Elections and Meetings/ Rules and Procedures

7. Section 6: Privileges and Restrictions
The Treasury pays Congress
Speech and Debate Clause: outside of either house, representatives shall not be questioned in any case to prevent arrest or prosecution of legislators based on political views
Judiciary branch cannot be politically involved
Section 6: Privileges and Restrictions

8. Before a law becomes a law, it is a bill and must be approved and passed by congress
A revenue bill is a form of a bill for raising revenue and must start at the House of Representatives but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as in the case of other bills
A revenue bill originates in the House of Representatives
To become a law, a bill must be approved by the president and must be approved by at least 2/3 of congress
A veto is the power for the president to reject a proposal for a bill made by congress
Section 7: Passing Laws

9. Vetoes (1897-Present)

10. Section 8: Powers Granted to Congress
The 18th amendment: the necessary and proper clause
To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by the constitution
Powers granted to Congress:
To borrow money on the credit of the United States
To regulate commerce with foreign nations
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization and laws
To coin money, regulate the value of foreign currency, and fix the standards of weight and measurement
To raise and support armies
To preserve and maintain a navy
Section 8: Powers Granted to Congress

11. Section 9: Powers denied to Congress
Writ of Habeus Corpus: a document that orders a person held in custody to deliver the imprisoned person to court issuing the order and for showing validity to their detention
A Bill of Attainder: act of legislature declaring a person guilty of a crime and punishing them without a trial
Ex Post Facto: law that changes legal consequences of actions that were committed before the enactment of the law
Titles of Nobility: no one under any form of position in office, without consent of congress, can accept any title or name
Section 9: Powers denied to Congress

12. Section 10: Powers denied to the States
States are not allowed to:
Create their own currency
Coin money
Enter a treaty or alliance of any sort
Lay imposts or duties on imports or exports
Hold troops
Lay duty of tonnage during times of peace
Section 10: Powers denied to the States

13. Section 1: The Executive Branch
Main people that make up this branch are the President and Vice President
Each term is 4 years
This branch is elected through a nationwide election that counts up votes towards the electoral college with representative who are voted for that are bound to voting for a specific party
The 12th amendment was put into place to change the way that the President and Vice President are elected
To qualify for the Vice President or President position you must be at least 35 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least 14 years and the candidate must be born in the United States
The 25th amendment provides the Vice President succeeds to the presidency
The Chief Justice administers the oath to the President
Article 2:
Section 1: The Executive Branch

14. Section 2 and 3: Powers/ Duties of the President
The powers of the Executive Branch are:
To schedule and run meetings or appointments for Congress
Commander and Chief of the United States Armed Forces
The Senate has the power to “advise and consent” to keep checks and balances in place
The State of the Union address is an annual message to Congress
Section 2 and 3: Powers/ Duties of the President

15. Section 4: Impeachment
Impeachment is indictment by legislative bodies against high-ranking officials
Both the President and Vice President can be impeached for crimes, misdemeanors and treason or briberies

16. Section 1: The Judicial Branch
Lower courts and the Supreme Court makes up this branch
Judges of these courts can serve until death or resignation
The Founding Fathers gave this branch independence so that individuals could represent their individual views in a very large setting
Article 3:
Section 1: The Judicial Branch

17. Section 2: General Authority
Supreme Court cases are heard on the basis of treaties, laws, court cases, and bills that are in the process of becoming a law
Marbury v. Madison established judicial review
Judicial Review is the process of the Supreme Courts assuring that laws are constitutional
Appellate Jurisdiction- supreme court receiving the case first (not appealed)
Original Jurisdiction- an appeal from another court
Section 2: General Authority

18. Article 5: Amending the Constitution
Proposing an amendment is more popular than ratifying one
Proposing an amendment
2/3 of the House of Representatives and Senate agree on passing an amendment
2/3 of state legislation calls for a proposal
Ratifying an amendment:
¾ of state legislatives must be needed to ratify
¾ of state conventions agree to ratify the amendment
Article 5:
Article 5: Amending the Constitution

19. Amendments to the Constitution

20. The 19th amendment protects the rights of women
The 13th, 14th,15thand 24th amendments all protect the rights of African Americans
US Senators were chosen by state legislators before the 17th amendment
If a president would hypothetically sustain a life threatening injury/illness then the Vice President would take his place