1. The Constitution

2. Article I The Legislative Branch
Section 1 A two-house legislature (Bicameral) all legislative powers are granted to Congress which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives
Section 2 House of Representatives
A. Members are elected in each state every 2 years Members are elected for 2 year terms.
B. Qualifications
Years old
2. U.S. Citizen for 7 years
3. Resident of the State that elected him/her
C. Population determines the number of representatives each state should have
435 Members
At this time

3. D. When a vacancy occurs in the House, governor orders
D. When a vacancy occurs in the House, governor orders a special election to fill the vacancy
E. The House of Representatives elects a Speaker of the House
1. He is Chairman of all House meetings
2. If the President and the Vice-President should die, the Speaker of the House becomes President
3. The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment. (Bringing charges against a public official)
Section 3 Senate
A. The senate is composed of 2 from each state ( total)

4. B. 1/3 of the Senators are elected every 2 years so as to
B. 1/3 of the Senators are elected every 2 years so as to not have all new Senators every 6 Years. (term of office is 6 years)
C. Qualifications:
Years old
2. U.S. citizens for 9 years
3. Resident of the State he/she was elected
D. To fill a vacancy in the Senate, the governor of a states chooses a replacement until an election can be held.
E. The Vice-President of the U.S. is President of the Senate.
1. He Presides over Senate meetings, but can only vote to break a tie

5. 2. The Senate shall also choose a President Pro-
2. The Senate shall also choose a President Pro Tem to serve when the President is absent.
F. The Senate shall have the power to try all impeachments
1. The Senate shall act as a jury if the House impeaches a federal official.
2. 2/3’s of all Senators present must vote for conviction.
3. If found Guilty by the Senate, he/she can be removed from office and barred from holding federal office in the future.

6. Article II The Executive Branch
Section 1 President and Vice-President
The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States
Term of office is 4 years
Limited by the 22 amendments to 2 terms
Electors equal to the number Senators and Representatives elect the President
President elected by the Electoral College
A. Qualifications
Years old
2. Natural Born Citizen
3. Lived in U.S. for 14 Years

7. B. Line of Succession to the President:
2. Vice-President
3. Speaker of the House
4. President Pro-Tem of the Senate
C. The President is paid a salary of $200,000 a year
D. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court administer the oath to the President
I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States

8. Section 2 Powers of the President
A. Commander in Chief of armed forces, militia, national guard
B. Appoints cabinet (advisors to President)
C. May pardon crimes against U.S. Government
D. Make treaties (2/3’s vote of Senate)
E. Deliver the “State of the Union” message
F. Call special sessions of Congress
G. Has the right to receive or not receive important officials sent to this government by foreign governments

9. Article III The Judicial Branch
Section 1 Federal Courts
A. The judicial power of the U.S. shall be vested in one Supreme Court
B. There are 8 Supreme Court Justices and 1 Chief Justice
C. Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the President for Life and must be confirmed by the Senate
D. Types of Federal Courts:
1. District Courts (91) – trial court where juries and witnesses are used
2. U.S. Court of Appeals (12) – review decisions made in district court

10. 3. U. S. Supreme Court – to decide whether or not
3. U.S. Supreme Court – to decide whether or not laws are in agreement with the Constitution
E. Original jurisdiction:
1. A case involving federal laws that is heard or tried for the first time (District Court)
F. Appellate jurisdiction:
1. When a party loses in a lower court, the case may be appealed to a higher court to have the legal issue reviewed