Investigating the US Constitution

ARTICLE 1: The Legislative Branch (Congress)

Section 1

1. What two powers are represented in the US Legislative Branch of government?

The two powers are the Senate and the House of Representatives

Section 2:

1. How long is the elected term of a Representative of the House?

The elected term is for 2 years.

2. How what are the minimum age requirements in order to be elected to the House of Representatives?

The minimum age requirement is to be at least 25 years of age.

Section 3:

1. How many senators can be elected from each state?

Two senators may be elected from each state.

2. How long does a senator serve as an elected official of his/her state?

A senator serves for 6 years.

3. What are the minimum age requirements in order to be elected to the senate?

The minimum age requirement for someone to be elected into the senate is 30 years of age.

Section 4:

1. When and how often does Congress (both Senate and House) meet?

Congress meets at least once a year, usually around the time of the first Monday of December.

Section 7:

1. Most Bills presented to Congress start in which power of the legislative branch of government?

Most bills start up in the House of Representatives.

ARTICLE II: The Executive Branch

Section 1:

1. Does the actual number of voting citizens votes determine who wins an election? What determines the actual outcome of a presidential election?

The popular vote does not really contribute as much as the electoral college does in choosing a president.

 

Section 2:

1. What are the powers granted to the president as Commander and Chief of the armed forces?

As Commander in Chief, the president can, “require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. “

2. How far does the president’s powers extend on treaty policies?

The president has the power to make treaties but must have 2/3 of the legislative branch’s consent before making the treaty official.

Section 4:

1. What would be a valid reason to impeach a president?

Valid reasons for a president to be impeached would be treason, bribery, and other significant crimes and/or misdemeanors.

 

ARTICLE III: The Judicial Branch

Section 1:

1. Who holds the greatest authority in the US Judicial System?

The US Supreme Court has the most power in the Judicial System.

Section 3:

1. What are the requirements of convicting an individual for Treason?

The requirements for an individual to be convicted for treason are if the individual was levying war against them, or adhering to their enemy.

 

 

CHECKS AND BALANCES IN THE US CONSTITUTION

1. Explain how each branch of government has the power of “Checks and Balances” over one another.

Each branch has no power over any other of the branches, they are all equal by a system called Checks and Balances. Checks and Balances is a policy by which it makes the powers restrict each other from becoming too strong.  For example, The Legislative Branch can make a law in congress, but the president must sign the bill. He can also veto the bill, and when this occurs, the legislative branch can hold a vote and if the majority of 2/3 votes to override its veto, then the law will in fact come in effect. The Judicial Branch can also play a part in this by holding something called Judicial review, which is when the supreme court goes over the bill before it is made a law to see if it is constitutional.