Article I establishes the United States Congress with its TWO houses– the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress is the legislative, or lawmaking branch of government. Article I gives the qualifications for election to Congress, the rights and privileges of members of Congress, and some basic operating procedures of both houses. The Article also lists the powers delegated, or given, to Congress.

Article I : The Legislative Branch

A. Peace Powers1. To make laws2. To borrow money3. Regulate foreign and interstate trade4. Make money and establish its value5. Punish counterfeiters6. Establish post offices and post roads7. Grant patents and copyrights8. Create lower courts9. Make taxes10. In charge of national parks and federal

buildings

1. Delegated Powers

B. War Powers1. To declare wars2. Raise and support armies3. Provide and maintain a navy4. Use the militia to execute federal laws and

stop invasions

“To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers…”

A. Define punishment for a crimeB. Establish a Federal Reserve SystemC. Improve rivers, canals, harbors and other

waterwaysD. Fix minimum wages and maximum hours of

work

2. Implied Powers

A. Select a President if no candidate receives a majority of the electoral vote

B. Brings impeachment charges

C. Starts all bills dealing with money

3.Special Powers of Congress

A. Selects a Vice President if no candidate has a majority of the electoral vote

B. Acts as a jury during impeachment trials

C. Ratifies treaties with a two- thirds vote

D. Approves presidential appointments (majority vote)

4. Special Powers of the Senate

5. Powers Forbidden to Congress

A. Ex Post Facto Laws: Cannot be held responsible if an

act becomes illegal after a person has committed it

B. Writ of Habeas Corpus: A court is required to hold a

hearing for a person accused of a crime

Need to ensure police are holding a person legally

Can be suspended in a national emergency

Bill of Attainder:A person cannot be sentenced to

jail without granting that person a trial

Anyone in the US is entitled to a trial in a court of law

A. Sign the bill…the bill becomes a law

B. Veto or reject the bill…vetoed bill is sent back to Congress along with the reasons for the veto…Congress can vote and with a two- thirds vote (of both houses together) can make the bill a law without the President

C. Pocket the bill…President neither signs nor vetoes the bill1. If Congress is in session, a pocketed

bill becomes a law without the President after being held for 10 days

2. If Congress is not in session, a pocketed bill does not become a law—called a pocket veto.

A. Impeachment is the accusation of a public official of wrongdoing during his time in office

1. Steps of Impeachment: House of Representatives:

A. Conducts inquiries or investigative hearingsB. House votes on inquiry – need one more

than 50% to impeach = 218

Senate:A. Holds trialB. Senators act like jurors and Chief Justice of

Supreme Court presidesC. Two- thirds vote needed to convict = 67

Senators

8. Influences on Congress

A person hired by a special group to try to influence Congress to pass bills that will help the interest group or to avoid passing laws that will hurt that group.

A. Lobbyists

1. Experts are called to appear at committee hearings and explain bills dealing with technical or scientific matters.

2. They provide information to help Congress understand bills.

B. Experts

1. People who represent a particular member of Congress.

2. People who live in the state / district of a Congressperson.

C. Constituents

A. The main duty of Congress is to pass laws that will help the country and/or the states.

B. Bill: a proposed law

9. Passing Laws

C. A bill must be passed by both houses of Congress and usually needs the President’s approval

D. System of committees to look at all of the bills (would be virtually impossible for all of Congress (435+100) to look at all of the bills because there are approximately 20,000 proposed a year)

E. Committee studies the bills and decides if Congress should vote on the bill

F. Most bills “die” in committee