The Constitution of the United States: Key Points & Summary

Preamble

Purpose: To form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.

Article I: Legislative Branch

Section 1: Congress

Bicameral Structure: Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2: House of Representatives

Composition: Members chosen every two years by the people.
Qualifications: Must be 25 years old, 7 years a citizen, and inhabitant of the state.
Apportionment: Based on population; minimum one representative per state.
Vacancies: Filled by election.
Leadership: Chooses Speaker and officers; sole power of impeachment.

Section 3: Senate

Composition: Two Senators per state, serving six-year terms.
Class Division: Staggered elections every two years.
Qualifications: Must be 30 years old, 9 years a citizen.
Vice President: President of the Senate, votes only in ties.
Impeachment Trials: Senate holds trials; Chief Justice presides if President is tried.

Section 4: Elections and Meetings

Regulations: States determine election processes; Congress can alter.
Meetings: At least once a year, first Monday in December.

Section 5: Powers and Duties

Internal Rules: Each House judges elections, sets rules, punishes members.
Journals: Must keep and publish records.
Adjournment: Requires mutual consent.

Section 6: Compensation and Privileges

Compensation: Senators and Representatives paid from U.S. Treasury.
Privileges: Immunity from arrest during sessions.

Section 7: Legislative Process

Revenue Bills: Originate in the House.
Presidential Veto: Can be overridden by two-thirds majority.

Section 8: Powers of Congress

Enumerated Powers: Taxation, commerce regulation, national defense, etc.

Section 9: Limits on Congress

Prohibitions: No suspension of habeas corpus, no ex post facto laws.

Section 10: Limits on States

Restrictions: No treaties, no separate currency, no military forces without Congress consent.

Article II: Executive Branch

Section 1: Presidency

Term: Four years.
Election: Electoral college system.
Qualifications: Natural-born citizen, 35 years old, 14-year resident.

Section 2: Presidential Powers

Commander in Chief: Military leader.
Treaties and Appointments: With Senate consent.

Section 3: Responsibilities

State of the Union: Provide Congress with updates.
Law Execution: Ensure laws are faithfully executed.

Section 4: Impeachment

Grounds: Treason, bribery, or other high crimes.

Article III: Judicial Branch

Section 1: Courts

Supreme Court: Highest authority; Congress may establish lower courts.

Section 2: Jurisdiction

Scope: Cases under Constitution, laws, treaties.

Section 3: Treason

Definition: Levying war or aiding enemies; conviction requires two witnesses or confession.

Article IV: States' Relations

Section 1: Full Faith and Credit

Recognition: States must respect each other's laws and proceedings.

Section 2: Privileges and Immunities

Rights: Equal treatment across states.

Section 3: New States and Territories

Admission: Congress admits new states; no state can be formed within another without consent.

Section 4: Republican Government

Guarantee: U.S. guarantees a republican form of government for each state.

Article V: Amendments

Process: Proposal by two-thirds of Congress or state conventions; ratification by three-fourths of states.

Article VI: Federal Powers

Supremacy Clause: Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.

Article VII: Ratification

Requirement: Ratification by nine states sufficient for establishment.

This summary covers the primary components and powers outlined in the Constitution, focusing on the structure and function of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Note: Amendments and additional clauses have further modified and expanded on these core articles.

Summary of the U.S. Constitution