1. The Constitution
Stuff You Need to Know

2. The Preamble 6 goals are outlined in the Preamble
Form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

3. Article I: The Legislative Branch
The legislative branch has the power to create laws
Congress is made up of 2 houses
The House of Representatives: 2 years of service
Must be 25 years old
Number of reps determined by population
There are 435 total representatives
All bills for raising money must begin in the House
If a vacancy occurs, the state’s governor must call a special election to fill it.
The Speaker of the House presides over the meetings
The House has the power to charge a public official in impeachment cases

4. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Senate: 6 years of service
Must be 30 years old to be a senator, citizen for 9 years
2 senators from each state (100 total)
The Vice President presides over senate meetings
He is the tie-breaker when votes are 50-50
If he is absent, the president pro tempore fills in (elected by the Senate)
Has the power to impeach high public officials (i.e. the president)
Originally, state legislators elected senators
The 17th Amendment changed it to direct election.

5. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Other duties of Congress:
Govern the District of Columbia
Levy taxes, coin money, borrow money
Declare war
Establish uniform rules of naturalization
Requirements to become a citizen
Override a veto: 2/3 in both houses
Establish a postal system
Confirm presidential appointments
Cabinet, VP, Supreme Court justices, etc.
Congress must meet at least once a year
To have a meeting, there must be a quorum
Majority- 218 in House, 51 in Senate

6. Article II: The Executive Branch
The President is the head of the executive branch
4 years of service (only 2 terms allowed)
22nd Amendment
Elected by the Electoral College
You elect members of the Electoral College to vote for who you want
Winner take all- Whoever wins a state gets all of the votes of that state.
Natural born citizen- 35 years old
Enforces the laws
Leader of the country
The Vice President, department heads (Cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies assist the President
Appoints justices to the Supreme Court

7. Article II: The Executive Branch
What if something happens to the President? Who’s next?
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore of Senate
Secretary of State
Other Cabinet members in order of when positions were created

8. Article III: The Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court
Once appointed they serve for life
Carries out the laws
Has the power to declare laws unconstitutional
In cases affecting representatives of foreign countries, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction
Determine punishments for treason (usually death)
Cannot be convicted of treason unless you confess in open court
Or if two witnesses testify that you have done a treasonable act
Families of traitors are not automatically convicted too

9. Other Important Info Inventions are protected by patents
The Elastic Clause- gives Congress the power to make laws to carry out powers granted in the Constitution
Habeas Corpus- You cannot be held without just cause
Ex post facto- If you do something, then it becomes illegal, you cannot be convicted.
Ex. When they changed the drinking age to 21, if you were 18 before it changed, you were allowed to drink.
Inventions are protected by patents