US History

U.S. History Study Guide

©2018 of 194 blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity: do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America” Article I- Legislature The legislature is divided into two parts- the House of Representatives (four-hundred and thirty-five members currently) which is determined by proportional representation of the population and the Senate (one hundred members currently) which has two representatives from each state. The House of Representatives may bring impeachment charges. All bills which concern money must originate in the House. Because of the size of the body, debate is limited except in special cases, where all the representatives may meet as the Committee of the Whole. The Speaker of the House presides over the proceedings. The elected term of House representatives is two years, re-electable without limit, to persons who are at least twenty-five years of age. The Senate, which was originally elected by state legislatures, is now elected by a direct election (seventeenth amendment). The Senate approves or rejects presidential nominations and treaties, as well as serving as the court and jury in impeachment proceedings. Debate within the Senate is unlimited. The president pro tempura usually presides, but the vice-president of the United States is the presiding officer, and may vote to break a tie. The elected term of the Senate elected terms is six years which is re-electable without limit, to persons who are at least 30 years of age. Article II- Executive The president is elected for a four year term, originally electable without limit (the Twenty Second amendment limits election to two terms) and must be at least thirty five years of age. Responsibilities for the president are outlined in the Constitution. These responsibilities include: acting as the chief of state, the chief executive, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the chief diplomat, and chief legislator. Article III- Judiciary While the Constitution describes the Supreme Court in Article III, the actual construction of the court system was accomplished by the judiciary Act of 1789. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction of federal courts and appellate cases on appeal from lower courts. Article IV- Interstate Relations This article guarantees that court decisions and other legal actions (marriage, incorporation, etc.) valid in one state are not valid in another. The extradition of the criminals (and, originally, runaway slaves) and the exchange of citizenship benefits are likewise guaranteed. Article IV provides for the admission of new states and guarantees federal protection against invasion and violence for each state. States admitted maintain the same status as the original states. All states are guaranteed a republican form of government. Achieve Page 86

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