U.S. Constitution the United States

U.S. Constitution

The United States Constitution, drafted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787, is the supreme law of the land and consists of seven articles which distributes power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government and the states.

Article I establishes a Congress, the legislative branch, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as the process of election and qualifications of members. It also outlines procedure, powers and limits of power. Members of the House, who are chosen every second year by the residents of their respective states, shall choose their speaker and other officers, and have the sole power of impeachment. The Senate is composed of two members from each state, with the Vice President of the United Sates acting as President of the Senate, although allowed to vote only if the Senate is equally divided. The Senate shall have sole power to try all impeachments, however if the President of the United States is tried, then the Chief Justice shall preside, and no one can be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present. Any bill for raising revenue must originate in the House, although the Senate may purpose or concur with amendments as on other Bills. Every bill that passes the House and Senate must be presented to the President of the United Sates before it become law. The President may approve it and sign it, or return it with his objections to the House in which it originated, where the objections will be entered and reconsidered. The Congress has the 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. It has the power to borrow money on the credit of the U.S., to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, and with Native American tribes. The Congress has the power to coin money and regulate its value, and fix the standard of weights and measures. It also can declare war, raise and support armies, and provide and maintain a navy.

Article II concerns the executive branch, and describes the procedures for selection, qualifications, powers and duties of the office. It also designates that the Vice President will become President should the President die, resign, or become incapacitated. This article also provides for the impeachment or removal of civil officers, including the President, Vice President, and Judges. The President and Vice President of the United States hold a four-year term office, and are elected by electors, who are appointed by each state, of which the number is equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives of each respective state. The President, who must be a natural born U.S. citizen, is commander in chief of the Army and Navy, and of the militia of each state. The President has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the U.S., except in cases of impeachment. With advice and consent of the Senate, the President has the power to make treaties, appoint and nominate ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, however the Congress may deem his choice of appointments as inferior.

Article III describes the judicial branch of government, including the Supreme Court. It establishes that there is one court, the Supreme Court, however Congress may create lower courts, although judgements and orders may be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The trials of all crimes, except those involving impeachment, shall be by jury and held in the state where the crimes were committed, but if not committed within a state, the Congress will decide where the trial will take place. The judicial power extends to all cases arising under the Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which may be made, under their authority. No one can be convicted of treason without the testimony of two witnesses to the same act, or on confession in open court. The Congress has the power to decide the punishment of treason.

Article IV establishes the relationship among the states, and between the states and the federal government. It requires that full faith and credit be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states, and that citizens of each state are entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in other states. Persons charged with treason or other crimes in one state and who flee to another state can be extradited to the state of the crime. Each state is guaranteed a republican form of government, and protection against invasion. The Congress has the power to admit new states to the Union, and has power to dispose of and make necessary rules and regulations for territories or other property belonging to the United States.