U.S. Constitution Article I. Legislative Department
🇺🇸 U.S. Constitution – Article I: The Legislative Department (Legislative Branch)
Article I of the U.S. Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the federal government — the Congress of the United States. It consists of two houses:
The Senate
The House of Representatives
📜 Breakdown of Article I – Sections and Summary
🔹 Section 1: Legislative Powers
"All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."
Establishes a bicameral legislature.
All legislative power is given to Congress.
🔹 Section 2: The House of Representatives
Members elected every two years.
Must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for 7 years, and inhabitant of the state they represent.
Representation is based on population.
Sole power of impeachment.
🔹 Section 3: The Senate
Two Senators per state, elected for six-year terms.
Must be at least 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, and resident of the state.
Vice President is President of the Senate (votes in tie only).
Senate has the sole power to try impeachments.
🔹 Section 4: Elections and Meetings
States determine how and when elections occur.
Congress must meet at least once a year.
🔹 Section 5: Rules and Procedures
Each house judges its own elections and qualifications.
Can establish its own rules of proceedings.
Requires a quorum to conduct business.
🔹 Section 6: Compensation and Privileges
Members paid from U.S. Treasury.
Immunity from arrest in most cases during sessions.
Cannot hold another federal office while in Congress.
🔹 Section 7: Legislative Process
All revenue bills must originate in the House.
Bills must be approved by both houses and signed by the President.
If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can override it with a two-thirds vote.
🔹 Section 8: Powers of Congress
This is one of the most important sections.
Congress has power to:
Tax and spend for defense and general welfare
Borrow money
Regulate commerce (foreign and interstate)
Coin money
Establish post offices
Declare war
Raise and support armies
Make laws necessary and proper ("Elastic Clause")
🔹 Section 9: Limits on Congress
No suspension of habeas corpus, except in emergencies
No bills of attainder or ex post facto laws
No titles of nobility
🔹 Section 10: Limits on the States
States cannot make treaties, coin money, or pass ex post facto laws.
States cannot keep armies or go to war unless invaded.
🧠 Purpose of Article I
To define:
How the legislative branch functions
The structure, powers, and limits of Congress
The balance between federal and state authority
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