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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

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

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

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

16. 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

17. 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:

18. 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

19. 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

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