The Constitution:
A More Perfect Union

the part of government that interprets the laws

to reject a proposed law or a bill

the constitutional system that divides power between the national & state governments

to formally accuse an official of a crime related to official duties

a proposed law

the system that allows each branch of government to limit the power of other branches

He is a member of this branch of government.

having two lawmaking parts

Pennsylvanian’s would elect someone from the 8 th Congressional
District to serve where?
House of Representatives

Only the President has the power to do this.

President Obama was sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts, a member of this branch.

This term explains the words
“We the People”—that ordinary Americans have the power in our government.

He is a member of this branch of government.

The Constitution is a “living document” because legislators can add these.

Any member of the House or
Senate can submit a proposal for this.

Ideas for Bills…
 Cyberbullying
 Immigration
 Animal Rights
 Gun Control
 Death Penalty

Marking It Up
• An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of
Congress can introduce a bill in
Congress. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session.
• A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one that affects the general public.

Marking It Up
A bill is a proposed law.
• An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of
Congress can introduce a bill in
Congress. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session.
• A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one that affects the general public.

Marking It Up
• An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of
Congress can introduce a bill in
Congress. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session.
• A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one that affects the general public.
Why is
Members capitalized?

Marking It Up
• An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of
Congress can introduce a bill in
Congress. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session.
• A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one that affects the general public.
So a bill really starts in the
House of
Reps…

Marking It Up
• An idea for a bill may come from anybody, however only Members of
Congress can introduce a bill in
Congress. Bills can be introduced at any time the House is in session.
• A bill's type must be determined. A private bill affects a specific person or organization rather than the population at large. A public bill is one
that affects the general public.
I would like to make a law banning loud cell phone conversations in public places!

Marking It Up
What does this word mean?
• After the idea for a bill is developed and the text of the bill is written, a
Member of Congress must officially introduce the bill in Congress by becoming the bill's sponsor.
• Representatives usually sponsor bills that are important to them and their
constituents.
• Representatives who sponsor bills will try to gain support for them, in hopes that they will become laws.
• Two or more sponsors for the same bill are called co-sponsors.

Marking It Up
• After the idea for a bill is developed and the text of the bill is written, a
Member of Congress must officially introduce the bill in Congress by becoming the bill's sponsor.
• Representatives usually sponsor bills that are important to them and their
constituents.
• Representatives who sponsor bills will try to gain support for them, in hopes that they will become laws.
• Two or more sponsors for the same bill are called co-sponsors.
I predict that…

Example of a Diagram

Example of a Game Board

Example of a Flow Chart

1) Idea
2) Get a Sponsor
3) Introduced  Referred to a
Committee
4) Referred to a Subcommittee
5) Reported (sent to the floor)
6) Debated on the floor
7) Vote on the bill (51%  Senate)
8) Senate has a similar process
9) Enrolled to the President

10. President’ s Four Choices: a) Leaves it on his desk with the Congress in session— after 10 days it becomes law b) Leaves it on his desk with
Congress NOT in session— after 10 days it does not become a law—pocket veto c) Veto (reject) d) Sign it into law

3 Branches of
Government

Checks & Balances

Checks & Balances
Executive
Legislative
Judicial

Checks & Balances can veto bills

Checks & Balances can veto bills can override vetoes

Checks & Balances can nominate Supreme
Court justices can veto bills can override vetoes

Checks & Balances can nominate Supreme
Court justices can veto bills can reject treaties that are unconstitutional can override vetoes

Checks & Balances can nominate Supreme
Court justices can veto bills can reject treaties that are unconstitutional can override vetoes can reject laws that are unconstitutional

Checks & Balances can nominate Supreme
Court justices can veto bills can reject treaties that are unconstitutional can override vetoes can reject laws that are unconstitutional approves appointments of Supreme Court justices

Important Amendments to the
Constitution
1-10. Bill of Rights (ratified 1791)
13. Slavery Abolished in the United States
(ratified 1865)
15. Right to vote shall not be denied on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude
(ratified 1870)

10 Most Recent Amendments
18. Alcohol Prohibited in the United States (ratified 1919)
19. Women’s Suffrage (ratified 1920)
20. Presidential & Congressional Terms (ratified 1933)
21. 18 th Amendment Repealed (ratified 1933)
22. Presidential Term Limits (ratified 1951)
23. Washington D.C. gets representation in the Electoral
College (ratified 1961)
24. People Cannot Be Taxed at Voting Polls (ratified 1964)
25. Presidential Disability & Succession (ratified 1967)
26. Voting Age Set to 18 Years Old (ratified 1971)
27. Limiting Congressional Pay Increases (ratified 1992)

Amending the Constitution
Amendment is proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of
Congress

Amending the Constitution
Amendment is proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of
Congress
Amendment is proposed by a national convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures

Amending the Constitution
Amendment is proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of
Congress
Amendment is ratified by ¾ of the state legislatures
Amendment is proposed by a national convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures

Amending the Constitution
Amendment is proposed by 2/3 vote of each house of
Congress
Amendment is ratified by ¾ of the state legislatures
Amendment is proposed by a national convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures
Amendment is ratified by ¾ of the state conventions

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights
A government in which the people rule

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights
People vote for political representatives

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights
Power divided between federal government & states

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
No one branch is given all of the powers
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Limited
Government
Each branch of government can exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches to balance power
Individual
Rights

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights
Citizens & leaders must all obey laws

7 Principles of the Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Popular
Sovereignty
Republicanism Federalism
Separation of
Powers
Checks &
Balances
Limited
Government
Individual
Rights
Personal liberties & rights