Trending
Many Americans today know little about the Constitution. As a blueprint to how our country works, it's important to understand how the Constitution supports our American way of life and our freedoms.
The Constitution contains seven sections, called Articles, that establish a three-branch system of government with "checks and balances." Each branch has just enough power to keep the other branches "in check," while fairly balancing the distribution of power among them. This is so the government works fairly, and no branch gets too powerful.
Article 1 outlines the powers and responsibilities of the federal Legislature. The Constitution gives this branch of government, called Congress, the sole power to make federal laws.
It makes decisions on things like taxes, defense, and trade.
The President can suggest laws, but Congress has to vote on them in order to approve new laws.
There are limits on the legislative power of Congress. For example, Congress can't pass laws that go against certain freedoms, like putting someone in jail without a trial.
The Congress is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives (the "House") and the Senate. Every person who serves in Congress takes a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution.
There are also rules that outline how the two chambers will be filled. The House has 435 voting members.
Representatives serve 2-year terms and are all elected at the same time. Our current representatives were elected in 2024, and the next election will be in 2026.
The number of representatives for each state is based on the state's population. (A national census is conducted every 10 years to ensure fair distribution of representatives.) Each state has at least one representative.
To be a representative, a person must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state in which they are elected.
The House must choose its special officers as well as a Speaker of the House, who presides over the chamber.
The House sets their own rules for conduct; and has the sole power of impeachment, including impeachment of the president.
The House also has the "power of the purse," creating spending bills for the federal budget.
However, the Constitution does not give the House power to approve bills on their own.
They must rely on the Senate to complete legislative actions like finalizing the federal budget or removing a high-ranking official for serious misconduct.
The Senate is composed of 100 senators. Each state has two senators regardless of how big or small the state is. Senators serve 6-year terms. The election of senators is staggered among the states such that one third of the Senate is elected every other year.
To be a senator, one must be at least 30 years old, have been a citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state in which they are elected.
The U.S. vice president serves as President of the Senate but has no regular vote except as a tiebreaker.
The Senate body chooses their officers and a president pro tempore who would serve temporarily in the absence of the vice president.
The Senate writes laws (in coordination with the House), confirms presidential appointments, approves treaties, and conducts impeachment trials (after an official order of impeachment by the House).
Article 1 of the Constitution is all about creating and organizing Congress, giving it powers to create laws, raise funds, and manage national defense, while limiting its authority so that individual freedoms and state rights are protected.
Susan Walker, of Belpre, is a member of Living Democracy: Engaging Citizens, a local citizen group.
Our mission is to inform and educate the Mid-Ohio Valley about how government works on the local, state, and federal levels and how citizens can be involved to make our democracy work.
Join us the third Monday of each month. livingdemocracymov@gmail.com and facebook/speak foryourselfvote and Youtube channel Living Democracy.