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

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

Article 1

• Section 1: Congress– Senate (states)– House of Reps

(people)

• Section 2: House of Rep– 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)

Article 1

• Section 3: Senate– 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

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

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

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

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

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)