1. Our Constitutional Framework

2. The US Constitution is the HIGHEST law of the land
1) It is a living document (can always change)
2) basic framework of our gov’t
A) lists gov’ts powers
B) Limits on gov’t powers
C) gives people freedoms that cannot be taken by the gov’t

3. Limited Government
National gov’t with limited powers with authority to pass laws only in the areas specifically listed in Article 1 of the constitution
Legislative Branch

4. Article 1 Section 2: House of Rep Section 1: Congress
1. election & terms of office: every 2 years
2. Qualifications: must be 25, US citizen for 7 yrs & resident of state
3. division of rep: based on population/redistributed *fun fact – 3/5 for slaves; no Native Americans
4. vacancies: filled by special elections by state governor
5. officers: Speaker of the House (3rd in line)
Section 1: Congress
Senate (states)
House of Reps (people)

5. Article 1 Section 3: Senate Section 4: Elections & Mtgs
Elected by the people
2 per state; 100 total
Elected every 6 years
Need to be 30, citizen for 9 years, resident of state
President of the Senate = Vice President (tie-breaker)
Pre pro Tempore (if VP is absent)
Impeachment – 2/3 vote
Section 4: Elections & Mtgs
Section 5: Organization & Rules of Procedure
Section 6: Privileges & Restrictions
Used to be paid $6 a day
Basic $174,000
Majority/minority leader $193,400
Pres. Pro Tempore $223,500
VP $230,700

6. Article 1 Section 7: passing laws
Section 8: powers granted to Congress
Section 9: powers denied to the Federal Gov’t
Section 10: Powers denied to the states

7. Separation of Powers
Executive – president & federal agencies (enforce law)
Legislative – Congress (makes laws or statutes)
Judicial – Courts (clarifies law)
Checks and Balances – no one branch can be too powerful
veto

8. Judicial Review Court can deem a law unconstitutional
1) gov’t passed a law which the Constitution doesn’t give it the power to pass
2) or law violates somebody’s rights

9. State v. Federal Laws State Federal Varies by state
Ex. License age
Every state has its own constitution
Might have greater protection of rights
Outlined by constitution
Bill of Rights – defines & guarantees fundamental rights

10. Constitution Is difficult to change
Need a 2/3 vote by both House of Congress OR
Convention called by 2/3 of states
Must be approved by ¾ of states
Why change? Extend rights (27 amendments)