Gridlock or Compromise

http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4514133/description-gridlock

Article 1 Sections 8, 9

Article 1, Section 8- Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, pay debts, borrow money, regulate commerce, establish a rule of naturalization and bankruptcy, coin money, punish counterfeiting, establish a post office, secure patents and copyrights, create courts, punish piracies, declare war, create an army and navy, call the militia, govern District of Colombia, and apply the necessary and proper clause. 

Article 1, Section 9- Congress can not regulate slave trade, suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus, pass a bill of Attainder (cannot be held without Court ruling) or ex post facto law (cannot be held if law was passed after something "illegal" happened) set taxes or duties on Articles, provide for interstate tariffs, give preferential treatment for some states, draw money from the Treasury, or grant a title of nobility. 

Article 1 Section 4, 5, 6

Section 4

• Congress must assemble once a year preferably 1st Monday in December. 
• Elections for senators is set up by state government but can be altered by Congress.

Section 5

• Each house is in charge of their own members and determine their own punishments for members. Expulsion requires a 2/3rd Vote. 
• Each house keeps a journal of every meeting but are still allowed to keep secrets. 
• Neither house can be absent for 3 days while other is in session unless other chamber approves. 

Section 6

• Senators and Representatives are paid from the Treasury of the United States.
• Congresspeople can ditch jail time when in session unless they have committed treason, felony and Breach of Peace. 
• Congresspeople can't be appointed to Civil Office under Authority of U.S. while elected. 

The United States Constitution Article 1 Section 3 and 7 Annotations

The United States Constitution Article 1 Section 3 and 7 

Article 1 Section 3 

• 2 Senators per state 
• Each Senator serves a 6-year term and each get a vote 
• Senate is divided in three classes according to election cycles (ex. 1st class elected at the 2nd year (1/3 of the Senate is chosen during an election cycle) 
• Requirements: Minimum age of 30 years, 9 years inhabitant of the United States, and a resident of the State that he/she represents
• United States Vice President serves as the President of the Senate. He/she doesn't get a vote unless if there's a tie. 
• Power of impeachment -> 2/3 vote 
• The power of impeachment includes kicking an elected/appointed official out of office and does not include criminal convictions. 

Article 1 Section 7

• Money Bills originate in the House. 
• The Senate is allowed to make amendments to Bills.
• Every Bill has to go through both the House and the Senate before it is sent to the President to be approved to be a Law. 
• The President is allowed the power to approve or veto the Bill. However, 2/3 of the voting body can override the President's decision by holding a vote. 
• Each voter and his/her vote in favor or against the Bill has to be officially recorded.
• If the President doesn't return the Bill signed after 10 days, it is considered to be signed. Unless if Congress prevents its return, then it will not be a Law. 

Article 1 Section 1, 2, and 10

Section 1:

The powers of legislation is given to Congress which consists of the Senate and House of Representatives. 

Section 2:

A Member of the House of Representatives has a two year term. They must be older than 25 years, be a citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state which they represent. 

The amount of representatives from each state is determined by population. The census will be taken every ten years to determine the population. 

The executive of the state (Governor) can call for a special election if they need to fill in vacancies. 

The House has the only power of impeachment. 

Section 10:

States do NOT  have the power to make treaties, alliances, coin Money, pass bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or grant a title of Nobility.

The states can NOT tax imports and exports without the consent of Congress.

The states can not raise a militia or engage in war unless invaded or in imminent danger. 

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