The Constitution and its Principles
1. The US constitution is divided into 7 articles.
2. Each article has a specific purpose and the first three establish the structure and powers of the three
branches:
a. Article I: Powers and limitations of Congress.
b. Article II: Powers and limitations of the President.
c. Article III: The role of the Judiciary especially the Supreme Court.
3. Article V laid out the procedure by which amendments to the constitution could be passed. They
require the agreement of ¾ of the states.
4. 27 amendments have be subsequently been passed. 10 of which were passed at once in 1791. And
the most recent one was in 1992.
The US constitution, Congress and the presidency
The constitution established that Congress was to be bicameral. This means that there would be two
chambers or houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It also created an executive branch and
presidency.
Article 1:
1. How often are members of the House of Representatives to be elected?
a. Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years.
2. What qualifications does the constitution require for those who are to sit in the House?
a. To sit in the House of Representatives must meet the Residency qualification which means
they must be an inhabitant of the State that they have been elected to represent. (So the
politician is accessible).
b. At least 25 years old.
c. A citizen of the USA for 7 years.
3. The number of representatives (sometimes called ‘members of Congress’) from each state depends
upon the state’s population.
4. How long are the terms of office for senators?
a. Senators serve six year terms.
b. 1/3 of the Senate face re-election every two years.
c. This allows for a change in power in the senate and send a message to Senate and avoids
populism.
5. What qualifications does the constitution require for those who are to be senators?
a. The residency qualification needed to be a Senator is that they must be an inhabitant of the
State that they have been elected to represent.
b. At least 30 years old.
c. Must be a US citizen for 9 years
6. How many Senators represent each state?
a. The Senate of the US shall consist of 2 Senators from each state regardless of size.
Article II:
1. How often are the president and vice-president to be elected?
a. Every four years the President and Vice-President will face an election (but can only run for
two four year terms).
2. The constitution specifies that the president must be at least 35 years old, have been a US resident
for at least 14 years, and have been born in the USA.
1. The US constitution is divided into 7 articles.
2. Each article has a specific purpose and the first three establish the structure and powers of the three
branches:
a. Article I: Powers and limitations of Congress.
b. Article II: Powers and limitations of the President.
c. Article III: The role of the Judiciary especially the Supreme Court.
3. Article V laid out the procedure by which amendments to the constitution could be passed. They
require the agreement of ¾ of the states.
4. 27 amendments have be subsequently been passed. 10 of which were passed at once in 1791. And
the most recent one was in 1992.
The US constitution, Congress and the presidency
The constitution established that Congress was to be bicameral. This means that there would be two
chambers or houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It also created an executive branch and
presidency.
Article 1:
1. How often are members of the House of Representatives to be elected?
a. Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years.
2. What qualifications does the constitution require for those who are to sit in the House?
a. To sit in the House of Representatives must meet the Residency qualification which means
they must be an inhabitant of the State that they have been elected to represent. (So the
politician is accessible).
b. At least 25 years old.
c. A citizen of the USA for 7 years.
3. The number of representatives (sometimes called ‘members of Congress’) from each state depends
upon the state’s population.
4. How long are the terms of office for senators?
a. Senators serve six year terms.
b. 1/3 of the Senate face re-election every two years.
c. This allows for a change in power in the senate and send a message to Senate and avoids
populism.
5. What qualifications does the constitution require for those who are to be senators?
a. The residency qualification needed to be a Senator is that they must be an inhabitant of the
State that they have been elected to represent.
b. At least 30 years old.
c. Must be a US citizen for 9 years
6. How many Senators represent each state?
a. The Senate of the US shall consist of 2 Senators from each state regardless of size.
Article II:
1. How often are the president and vice-president to be elected?
a. Every four years the President and Vice-President will face an election (but can only run for
two four year terms).
2. The constitution specifies that the president must be at least 35 years old, have been a US resident
for at least 14 years, and have been born in the USA.
