Preamble & Articles 1, 2, 3
By: Tanylia Caudle & Taylor West
Preamble
Article 1 details the Legislative Branch
Sections.
Section 2: This section specifies that the House of Representatives be composed of members who are chosen eery two years by the people of the states. There are only three qualifications: the representative must be 25 years old, has to be a citizen of the United Staes for at least seven years, and they must live in the state where they are chosen.
Section 3: The senate, which now haw 100 member, has two senators from each. Until 1913, senators were elected by their state legislatures.
Section 4: Gives the state legislatures the task of determining how congressional elections are to be held. The State legislature determines scheduling of an election, how voters may register and where they may cast their ballots.
Section 5: The House of Representatives and the Senate are each in charge of deciding whether an election of one of their members is legitimate. They may call witnesses to help them decide. Similarly, the House and Senate may establish their own rules, punish members for disorderly behavior.
Section 6: Members of Congress are to be paid for their work form the United States Treasury. Amendment 27 prohibits members from raising their salaries in the current session, so Congressional votes on pay increases do not take effect until the next session of congress.
Section 7: The House of Representatives must begin the process when it comes to raising and spending money. It is the chamber where all taxing and spending bills start. The Senate can offer changes and must ultimately approve the bills before they go tot he president, but only the House may introduce a bill that involves taxes.
Section 8: These powers are limited to those listed and those that are necessary and proper to carry them out. All other lawmaking powers are left to the states. The First Congress, concerned that the limited nature of the federal government was not clear enough in the original Constitution, later adopted Amendment X, which reserves to the states or to the people all the powers not specifically granted to the federal government.
Section 9: Section 9 specifically prohibits Congress from legislating in certain areas. IN the first clause, the Constitution bars Congress from banning the importation of slaves before 1808.
Section 10: Section 10, limits the power of the states. States may not enter into a treaty with a foreign nation; that the power is given to the president, with the advice and consent of two thirds of the Senate present. States cannot make their own money, nor can they grant any title of nobility
Article 2 Details the Executive Branch
Sections.
Section 2: Gives the President his responsibilities and duties
Section 3: President shall uphold his office and keep the rest of Congress informed with issues, problems or concerns. He/She is able to convene the houses during extraordinary occasions
Section 4: Any person in power can be removed from office.
Article 3 Details the Judicial Branch
Sections.
Section 2: States that all cases reported to the Supreme Court have already been decided at a level lower and been decided on. Supreme Court make decisions on cases that are involving congress or other office officials.
Section 3: Involves the details of being evicted treason, it also gives congress the power to give punishment if evicted. In order to be evicted of treason, there has to be 2 witnesses to the same overt Act. Limits the punishment only to responsible individual.