Article I
The first article of the United States Constitution gives Congress its powers and limits. Congress is the legislative branch of the government, meaning they are the ones to make laws for the United States of America. The article creates two sections of Congress, called bicameral legislature. First, the Senate, which is made up of two senators from each state. Second, the House of Representatives, which has representatives from each state based on population. Article 1 of the Constitution has 10 parts, or sections. Within those sections, the article is broken down even more into clause.
Section 1
- The first section is known as the vesting clause.
- This clause gives Congress of the government's power.
Section 2
- The second section shows the information about the United States House of Representatives.
- There will be elections for members of the House of Representatives every second year.
- Any representative who decides to run for a seat on the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, an American citizen for at least 7 years, and must live in the state they wish to represent.
Section 3
- The third section describes how the Senate should be.
- There will be two Senators for each state and they will have to serve a six-year term.
- They need to be over 30 years old, an American citizen for over 9 years, and must live in the state they would like to represent.
Section 4
- The fourth section explains that states have the power to determine where, when, and how elections will be held for Senators and Representatives.
- Congress must meet at least once a year and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different day.
Section 5
- The fifth section shows how the procedure should be for each House of Congress.
- It mentions the qualifications of members, rules they must follow, how to keep records for what records for what happens, and how a house can adjourn.
Section 6
- The sixth section talks about the privileges, restrictions, and compensation of anyone who is a Senator or a Representative.
- It mentions that these civil officers get paid by the Treasury of the U.S..
- They cannot get arrested unless it is a felony, treason, or a breech of peace.
- They also may not take an office in the Executive government while they are still in Congress.
Section 7
- The seventh section says that Congress can make acts through bills.
- A bill can start in the Senate or House of Representatives.
Section 8
- The eighth section gives the Enumerated powers of Congress.
- The Enumerated powers are a list of items that Congress are specifically allowed to do.
Section 9
Section 10
- The tenth section states the limits on the powers of the states.
- Ex.) States do not have certain powers that the federal government have, like creating money.