United States Constitution

United States Constitution

General LayoutGeneral Layout Cont30 years old9 years citizenLive in state representing2 per stateTotal of 100Six year terms1/3 elected every two yearsApprove Presidential appointmentsRatify treatiesTry impeachmentsLegislative BranchHouse25 years old7 years citizenLive in state they are representing1 per 30,000 (according to constitution, today more like 1 per 750,000Total of 4352 year termsRevenue (money) bills start in HouseSole power of impeachment

SenateDelegate Powers (can do)TaxRegulate commerce (trade)Borrow moneyNaturalization lawsBankruptcy lawsCoin moneyWeights and measurePunish counterfeiting Post offices and roadsPatents and copyrights Punish PiracyRaise and support an army/navyDeclare WarD.C.All laws necessary and proper to carry out the above powers

Congress Cant doEx post facto lawsSuspend Writ of Habeas Corpus unless in emergenciesNo capitation or direct taxesCant take money out of treasury unless by lawNo title of nobilityBills of attainderTax exportsFavor one state over another in tariffs

States Cant DoMake treatiesLetters of MarqueCoin moneyBills of AttainderEx post facto lawsTitle of NobilityLaws impairing contracts they signedDuties on imports or exportsKeep troops in peace timeEngage in war unless invadedExecutive BranchElectoral CollegePresident and VP are elected by the electoral collegeEach state gets one electoral vote for each Senator and member of the House of Representative they haveWhen the people vote for the President they are actually telling the electors who to vote for themIf one candidate doesnt get a majority then the House chooses from the top fiveExecutive Branch PowersPresidential SuccessionJudicial BranchSupreme Court9 JudgesHold position for life or good behaviorNo QualificationsFederal District CourtsFederal Appeals CourtsMilitary CourtsTax Courts

Supreme Court JurisdictionsOriginal JurisdictionActual trialThe Supreme Court has Original Jurisdiction in the following areasAmbassadors and other public ministersState is a party

Appellate JurisdictionAny case arising under the ConstitutionLaws of the USTreatiesAmbassadorsMaritime jurisdictionUnited States government is a partyBetween two or more statesCitizens of different statesRights Guaranteed by Article III and TreasonTrial by JuryTrial will be held in the state where the crime was committedTreason= levying war against the US or giving aid to the enemies of the USCongress decides the punishment for treasonArticle IVFull Faith and CreditEach state must recognize each states legal proceedingsExtraditionCongress can admit new states, no state can be created within boundaries of other states without the other states permission and Congressional approvalUS government guarantees a Republican form of government to every state and shall protect them from invasionArticle V, VI, VIIAmendment Process2/3 congress and of statesUS debt shall be paid by the new governmentConstitution and Federal law is supreme law of landSenators, Representatives and state legislatures take oath to protect US Constitution9/13 needed to ratify the ConstitutionChecks and BalancesPresidentSigns/Veto bills passed by CongressAppoints Judges, ambassadors, ministers, etcEnforces the lawGrants PardonsSupreme CourtDecides if laws/executive orders are Constitutional or notInterpret the lawsChief Justice sits as the Judge during Impeachment TrialsCongressMake lawsImpeachment2/3 vote to override presidential vetoApprove presidential appointments