Article 1: The Legislative Branch

Summary

This video script delves into Article 1 of the Constitution, detailing the structure and functions of the Legislative Branch, or Congress. It comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate, each with distinct roles and requirements for members. The script explains the law-making process, impeachment powers, and Congress's authority over finance, commerce, and federal budget. It also touches on the creation of essential institutions and restrictions on states, ensuring a balanced federal system.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Article 1 of the Constitution outlines the Legislative Branch, also known as Congress, which is responsible for writing laws.
• 🏢 Congress is divided into two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• 🗳️ Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years, must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a legal resident of the state they represent.
• 🌆 The number of seats in the House of Representatives is based on state population, with at least one seat guaranteed per state, and it is currently capped at 435.
• 👨‍💼 The Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives, ensuring order for law debates and passage.
• 🗳️ Senators are elected every six years, must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a legal resident of the state they represent.
• 🌐 Each state has two Senators, leading to a total of 100 Senators in the Senate.
• 🎖️ The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate, casting tie-breaking votes, with the President Pro Tempore leading in his absence.
• 💼 Congress has various powers, including impeachment, taxation, borrowing money, regulating interstate commerce, coining money, and controlling the federal budget.
• ⚖️ The House of Representatives can impeach a President accused of wrongdoing, while the Senate holds impeachment trials to determine guilt.
• 🏦 Congress also has the authority to create post offices, roads, federal courts, declare war, and regulate the military.
• 📜 Article 1 guarantees the Writ of Habeas Corpus, prohibits Bills of Attainder and Ex Post Facto laws, and places restrictions on states such as not allowing them to make treaties or coin money.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the Legislative Branch as described in Article 1 of the Constitution?

The primary function of the Legislative Branch, as described in Article 1 of the Constitution, is to write laws.

How is the Legislative Branch divided?

The Legislative Branch is divided into two houses: The House of Representatives and the Senate.

What are the key differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate?

The key differences include the election term (every two years for the House vs. every six years for the Senate), the age requirement (25 years old for the House vs. 30 years old for the Senate), the residency requirement (legal resident of the state for both but different rules for representation), and the number of seats (based on population for the House with a total of 435 seats, and two seats per state for the Senate with a total of 100 seats).

Why was the number of seats in the House of Representatives frozen at 435?

The number was frozen at 435 in 1929 because the House was getting too big to manage effectively.

Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House.

What is the role of the Vice President in the Senate?

The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate, and his role is to keep order and vote on a bill only to break a tie.

Who leads the Senate when the Vice President is absent?

When the Vice President is absent, the President Pro Tempore, chosen by the Senate, leads the Senate.

What is the impeachment power of the Legislative Branch?

The impeachment power allows the House of Representatives to impeach (accuse of a crime) the President, and the Senate to hold the impeachment trial to decide if the President is guilty.

What are some of the financial powers granted to Congress?

Congress has the power to raise money by collecting taxes, borrow money by selling government bonds, regulate interstate commerce, coin money, and control the federal budget.

What does the term 'interstate commerce' mean in the context of Congress's powers?

Interstate commerce refers to business transactions or trade that occurs between two or more states.

What are some additional powers granted to Congress by Article 1?

Additional powers include creating post offices, roads, and federal courts, as well as declaring war and regulating the military.

What protections does Article 1 guarantee for individuals?

Article 1 guarantees the Writ of Habeas Corpus, which is the right to appear before a judge after arrest to hear the charges, and it outlaws Bills of Attainder and Ex Post Facto laws.

What are some of the restrictions placed on states by Article 1?

Article 1 restricts states from making treaties with other countries and coining their own money, among other limitations.