US Civics Education

The U.S. Constitution - Powers prohibited

Congressional Powers Prohibited

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not

be suspended,

unless when

in Cases of Rebellion or

Invasion the public

Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or

ex post facto Law

shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct,

Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.*

No Tax or Duty

shall be laid on Articles

exported

from any State.

No Preference shall be given

by any Regulation

of Commerce or Revenue

to the Ports of one State over those of another:

nor shall Vessels bound to,

or from, one State,

be obliged to enter,

clear, or pay duties in another.

* AMENDMENT XVI
Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913 modified Article I, section 8 & 9, of the Constitution.

excerpt:

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. . .

Congressional Powers Prohibited

No Money shall be drawn

from the Treasury

but in

Consequence

of Appropriations

made by Law;

and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts

and Expenditures

of all public

Money shall be published

from time to time.

No Title of Nobility

shall be granted by

the United States:

And no Person

holding any Office of Profit

or Trust under them,

shall, without the Consent

of the Congress

accept of any present, Emolument, Office,

or Title,

of any kind whatever,

from any King, Prince,

or foreign State.

State Powers Prohibied

Congressional Powers Prohibited

State Powers Prohibied

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation;

grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal;

coin Money;

emit Bills of Credit;

make any Thing but

gold and silver Coin

a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder,

ex post facto Law,

or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts,

or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress,

lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws:

and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts,

laid by any State on Imports

or Exports,

shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Control of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress,

lay any Duty of Tonnage,

keep Troops, or Ships of War

in time of Peace,

enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State,

or with a foreign Power,

or engage in War,

unless actually invaded,

or in such imminent Danger

as will not admit of delay.

the senate - rules under the U.S. constitution

Article I, Sections 1-4

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

Senate - Classed - Voting - Presiding Officer

How composed

Two Senators from each state

– Eligibility

1. Attain age of thirty (30) years

2. Must be citizen of the United States for nine (9) years

3. Shall be an inhabitant of the State where chosen

4. No United States officers shall be a member of either House of Congress

– Term

The Senators term runs for six (6) years

– Vacancies

On the event of a vacancy by resignation or

during the recess of the legislature of any state

1. The executive thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies until the next meeting of the legislature

2. The legislature shall fill such vacancies

By Whom Chosen

1. Originally, Constitution gave the voting/election power to the legislature of the several States

2. The Seventeenth Amendment (17th) Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913 –

Amendment XVII modified Article I, section 3 and states:

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

Senate - Classed - Voting - Presiding Officer

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

Senate - Classed - Voting - Presiding Officer

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State

in the Senate, the executive authority of such State

shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies:

Provided,

That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make

temporary appointments until

the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

– When Chosen

One third the number of Senators shall be chosen

every second year

– How Classed

After first election they shall assemble and divided into three class:

1. First class- shall be vacated at the expiration of the

second (2nd) year;

2. Second class – shall be vacated at the expiration of the fourth (4th) year;

3. Third class – shall be vacated at the expiration of the

sixth (6th) year.

– Vote

Each Senator shall have one (1) vote

– Presiding Officer

1. The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate

2. Vice President shall have no vote unless there is a tie-vote in the Senate

3. The Senate shall also choose a president pro tempore in the absence of the Vice President, including if he is acting in the position/office of the President of the United States

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

3. Advise and Consent to confirm the nominations by the President of the United States for the positions:

a. Judges of the Supreme Court

b. Federal judges in accordance with Constitution, and established by law

c. Ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls

4. They shall choose their officers, including a president pro tempore

5. If the Electors fail to elect a Vice President, the Senate shall elect one

Impeachment powers:

1. The Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside over impeachment trial.

2. Impeachment requires

two-thirds of the members present with votes for impeachment conviction

3. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all

Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation.

When the President of the United States is tried,

the Chief Justice shall preside: And

no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment

shall not extend further

than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States:

but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

shared powers - Senate & house of representatives

Constitutional Provisions

Article I, Section 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of

a Senate

and

House of Representatives.

Article I, Sections 4-9 (excerpts)

Assembly

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year,

and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,

unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Quorum

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications

of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business;

but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner,

and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Rules

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds,

expel a Member.

Journal

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and

the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Adjournment

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Compensation

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.

They shall in all Cases,

except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace,

be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses

and in going to and returning from the same; and

for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place...

Rules

Constitutional Provisions

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected,

be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or

the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time;

and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Bills for Raising Revenue

All Bills for raising Revenue

shall originate in the

House

of Representatives;

but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments

as on other Bills.

President’s Approval of Bills

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and

the Senate, shall,

before it become a Law, be presented to the President

of the United States;

If he approve he shall sign it,

but if not

he shall return it,

with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it.

President’s Disapproved or Unreturned Bill – Rules to Pass by Congress

If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House

shall agree to pass the Bill,

it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House,

by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if

approved by two thirds

of that House,

it shall become a Law.

If any Bill shall not be

returned by the President

within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it,

unless

the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Bills, Orders & Resolutions

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States;

and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him,

shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitation prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Voting –

Yeas & Nays

But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively.

Immense Powers

Constitutional Provisions

Immense Powers

(Original Constitution language)

- excerpt from Article I, Section 8

Taxes

The Congress shall have Power To

lay and collect Taxes,* Duties, Imposts and Excises,

to pay the Debts

and

provide for the common Defense

and

general Welfare of the United States;

but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

*AMENDMENT XVI

Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913

modified

Article I, section 8 & 9, of the Constitution.

excerpt:

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. . .

Section 8 continued:

Power to Borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

Power to Regulate Commerce with:

foreign Nations, and

among the several States,

and with the Indian Tribes;

Establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,

and

uniform Laws on

the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment

of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science

and

useful Arts,

by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish

Piracies and Felonies

committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations . . .

shared powers of congress - continued

War & Military Powers

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

War

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation

of Money to that Use

shall be for a longer

Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws

of the Union,

suppress Insurrections

and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia,

and for governing

such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States,

reserving to the States respectively,

the Appointment of the

Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia

according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive

Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;

–And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper

for carrying into Execution

the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by

this Constitution in the Government of

the United States,

or in any Department

or Officer thereof.

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

(Original language)

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.*

AMENDMENT XIV

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.

*Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.

AMENDMENT XIV Section 1.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;

nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2.

Voting

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.

But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age,* and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Amendment XIV continued

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

Amendment XIV continued

Section 3.

No person shall

be a Senator

or Representative

in Congress,

or elector

of President and

Vice-President,

or hold any office,

civil or military,

under the United States,

or under any State,

who, having previously

taken an oath, as a

member of Congress,

or as an officer

of the United States,

or as a member of any State legislature,

or as an executive or judicial officer of any State,

to support the Constitution

of the United States,

shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

But Congress may by a vote

of two-thirds of each House,

remove such disability.

Section 4.

The validity of the public debt

of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.

But neither the United States

nor any State shall

assume or pay any debt

or obligation incurred

in aid of insurrection

or rebellion

against the United States,

or any claim for the loss

or emancipation of any slave;

but all such debts,

obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5.

The Congress shall have

the power to enforce,

by appropriate legislation,

the provisions of this article.

*Voting age changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment to eighteen years of age.

Who represents you?

The Legislative Branch

This page: Congressional duties & limits; Links to Representatives; Law making process & terms

The Congress - Basic U.S. Constitutional Requirements for Representative Offices (Article 1)

Congress = Senate & House of Representatives

Who protects Your liberty?

Does The Constitution Give Citizens Their Rights?

u.s. constitution limits the powers of government & Guarantees Citizen's Rights & Liberties

Congress is an equal branch of power & the only branch that can make laws

Knowledge is Your Power

How laws are made

U.S. Senate Leadership

U.S. House of Representatives

The U.S. Constitution - Powers prohibited

Congressional Powers Prohibited

Congressional Powers Prohibited

Congressional Powers Prohibited

Congressional Powers Prohibited

Congressional Powers Prohibited

Congressional Powers Prohibited

State Powers Prohibied

Congressional Powers Prohibited

State Powers Prohibied

the senate - rules under the U.S. constitution

Article I, Sections 1-4

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

Senate - Classed - Voting - Presiding Officer

Senate - Classed - Voting - Presiding Officer

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

Senate - Classed - Voting - Presiding Officer

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

Senate Powers Advice & Consent - Impeachment

legislative branch - A representative government body

shared powers - Senate & house of representatives

Constitutional Provisions

Constitutional Provisions

Constitutional Provisions

Rules

Constitutional Provisions

Constitutional Provisions

Immense Powers

Constitutional Provisions

Immense Powers

shared powers of congress - continued

War & Military Powers

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

Amendment XIV continued

Article I, Section 2 Modified by 14th Amendment

Amendment XIV continued

colonial Government Systems