Constitution Flashcards
US Constitution
The government of the United States. A set of principles (guidelines) that describe the duties and powers of the government.
USC Article 1 Section 1
Defined “congress” as the Senate and House of Representatives.
USC Article 1 Section 2
- Defined the qualifications and means of Delegates for the House of Representatives to become elected.
- Delegates were now elected by the people.
- Defined how many delegates a state could have based on it’s population.
USC Article 1 Section 3
- Defined the qualifications of delegates to the US Senate.
- The US VP will be president of the Senate.
- The Senate will try all impeachments. (Senate 2/3rd vote for guilty results in removal from office.)
USC Article 1 Section 4
Congress was to meet once a year. (1st Monday in December).
USC Article 1 Section 5
Each house could police itself.
- Each house would keep a journal of it’s proceedings.
- Each house must have the consent of the other to adjourn for more than 3 days.
USC Article 1 Section 6
Senators and House Representatives will be paid from the treasury
Cannot hold office in another section of the US govt.
3. A delegate cannot be arrested except in cases of treason, felony, and breach of the peace.
USC Article 1 Section 7
House of Representatives will initiate raising revenue.
Senate will approve and president will sign.
3. If president does not sign house and senate will pass with 2/3rds agreement and bill will become law.
USC Article 1 Section 8
Powers of congress:
- Collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.
- Pay debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare.
- May borrow money.
- May regulate commerce with foreign nations.
- May coin money.
- Establish post offices and roads.
- Promote Science and arts.
- To declare war.
- Created the District of Colombia.
USC Article 1 Section 9
- Habeas Corpus (arrested person may be brought into court to determine legality of arrest). “after the fact” law.
- Duty free within the US.
- No title of nobility.
USC Article 1 Section 10
An individual state could not accept “gifts” from foreign rulers.
A state could not declare war unless attacked.
USC Article 2 Section 1
US President
- Describes the eligibility requirements:
a. natural born citizen
b. 14 years residency
c. . Min. Age of 35) - Election process of the US President.
- Details the course of action if the president could no longer function.
- Presidential oath.
USC Article 2 Section 2
Places the president as commander in chief of the armed forces. Essentially puts the military under civilian control.
(May) fill vacancies that happen during the recess of the senate.
USC Article 2 Section 3
State of the union address. Originally intended to report how the president thinks the country is doing.
USC Article 2 Section 4
All Civil Officers (The President, Vice President, etc) can be removed from office by the House of Representatives. Military are tried by martial courts.