
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution has three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). The legislative branch, or Congress, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 members, with each state having two senators. The House of Representatives has 435 members, apportioned among the states according to each census.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | 100 |
| Type of members | Senators |
| Election | Elected every six years by the people of the several states |
| Age requirement | 25 years old |
| Citizenship requirement | Citizen of the United States for seven years or more |
| Residency requirement | Resident of the state that they represent |
| Term length | Two years |
| Powers | To choose its Speaker and other officers, to impeach the President, to propose and pass bills, to declare war, to raise and support armies, to provide for the militia, to define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas |
| Journal | Each House must keep and publish a Journal, recording the proceedings of the House |
| Quorum | A majority of each House constitutes a quorum to do business |
| Adjournment | Neither House may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other |
| Meeting place | Neither House may meet in any place other than that designated for both Houses (the Capitol) without the consent of the other House |
Explore related products
$9.99 $9.99
What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution outlines the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
- The legislative branch includes the bicameral Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate
- The House of Representatives has a minimum of 65 members and is apportioned based on each state's population
- The Senate has 100 members, with each state having two senators
- The Constitution grants Congress the power to determine the size of the House and allocate representatives to each state based on population

The US Constitution outlines the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
The US Constitution is a document that outlines the separation of powers into three distinct branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. This separation ensures that no individual or group has too much power. Here is a detailed breakdown of each branch:
The legislative branch, also known as Congress, is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is made up of members chosen every second year by the people of the states, with each state having a number of representatives proportional to its population. The legislative branch is responsible for creating laws and has the sole power of impeachment. It also holds the power of the purse, controlling the country's budget and appropriations.
The executive branch is led by the President, who is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is supported by the Vice President, who becomes the President if the latter is unable to serve. The executive branch also includes various executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards and committees. This branch is responsible for executing the laws created by the legislative branch and has the power to veto legislation.
The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It is responsible for interpreting the laws and ensuring that the other two branches do not exceed their constitutional powers. The judicial branch has the power of judicial review, which means it can declare laws or actions of the other branches unconstitutional.
The US Constitution, with its separation of powers, provides a system of checks and balances, where each branch can hold the others accountable and prevent the concentration of power. This system was influenced by political theorists such as Baron Charles de Montesquieu, who wrote about the separation of powers concept.
Exploring the Zambian Constitution's Comprehensive Composition
You may want to see also

The legislative branch includes the bicameral Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It outlines the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative branch includes the bicameral Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives, also known as "the House," is the lower chamber of the bicameral Congress. It is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. Each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative. The number of representatives from each state is determined by the state's share of the national population, as calculated following each census. The House of Representatives currently has 435 members, apportioned among the states according to the census results.
The requirements to be elected to the House of Representatives include being at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for seven years or more, and a resident of the state that one represents. Members of the House serve two-year terms. The House has the sole power of impeachment and is responsible for initiating all bills for raising revenue. It also has the power to choose its Speaker and other officers, although the Constitution does not mandate that the Speaker be a member of the House, every Speaker has been a member of the House of Representatives.
The Senate, also known as "the upper house," is the smaller chamber of Congress, with 100 members. Each state is represented by two senators, regardless of its population. The Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments and can propose or concur with amendments to bills for raising revenue. The Senate also elects a president pro tempore at the beginning of each Congress, who is typically a member of the majority party.
Together, the House of Representatives and the Senate form the legislative branch of the United States government, responsible for creating and passing laws. They work in tandem, with each house having specific powers and responsibilities, to represent the interests of their respective states and territories.
The Executive Branch: Key Positions and Their Powers
You may want to see also

The House of Representatives has a minimum of 65 members and is apportioned based on each state's population
The House of Representatives is one of two chambers of Congress, the other being the Senate. The House of Representatives has a minimum of 65 members, and its size is determined by the population of each state. The number of representatives a state has in the House is determined by its population in relation to the national population, as calculated by the prevailing Constitutional rule for determining population. This rule has been in place since the enactment of the Reapportionment Act of 1929, which established a constant 435 House seats apportioned among the states according to each census.
The House of Representatives is meant to be directly elected by the people of the states. Each state is guaranteed at least one representative, and the number of representatives a state has is meant to reflect its share of the national population. The House of Representatives is responsible for initiating revenue-raising bills and has the sole power of impeachment.
The House of Representatives has a significant role in the legislative process, as all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House before being sent to the Senate for potential amendment. The House also plays a crucial role in holding government officials accountable through its impeachment powers.
The House of Representatives has a few unique features and powers. Firstly, it is the only chamber of Congress with the power of impeachment. Secondly, it has the sole power to initiate revenue-raising bills. Additionally, the House of Representatives chooses its Speaker and other officers, and the Speaker is typically a member of the House.
The House of Representatives is an essential component of the United States government, providing representation for the people of each state and playing a key role in the legislative process. Its size, determined by the population of each state, ensures that the interests of the people are fairly represented at the federal level.
Understanding USC: Its Place in the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The Senate has 100 members, with each state having two senators
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution consists of three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative branch is made up of the bicameral Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives, on the other hand, is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the states. The number of representatives allocated to each state is based on its population, with each state guaranteed at least one representative. The size of the House has been maintained at 435 members since the enactment of the Reapportionment Act of 1929.
The Senate and the House of Representatives have distinct roles and powers outlined in the Constitution. The Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments, and a two-thirds majority is required for conviction. The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has the sole power of impeachment and is responsible for initiating revenue-raising bills.
Understanding Part-Time Work: Defining Weekly Hourly Limits
You may want to see also

The Constitution grants Congress the power to determine the size of the House and allocate representatives to each state based on population
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution delineates the framework of the federal government, with its first three articles embodying the doctrine of the separation of powers. The federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
Article One of the United States Constitution grants Congress the power to determine the size of the House of Representatives and allocate representatives to each state based on population. The Constitution stipulates that representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers. The actual enumeration of the population is made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States and within every subsequent period of ten years.
Following the completion of each census, Congress is empowered to determine the relative population of each state to the whole nation. Based on these calculations, Congress establishes the size of the House and allocates a specific number of representatives to each state according to its share of the national population. This process ensures that each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative.
Since the enactment of the Reapportionment Act of 1929, the number of House seats has been fixed at 435, apportioned among the states according to each census. Prior to 1929, the size of the House varied, with the number of members increasing over time as the nation's population grew. The House of Representatives started with sixty-five members in 1788 and reached 435 members by 1913.
The Constitution also addresses the issue of slavery, allowing states to count three-fifths of their slaves as part of their populations for representation in the federal government. This compromise, known as the Connecticut Compromise, aided in ratifying the Constitution and holding the Union together. However, it also resulted in the continuation of slavery for six more decades and disproportional representation in the Senate and Electoral College for less populous states.
Sales Org Design: What's the Core?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The US Senate.
Each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative. Members of the House of Representatives are chosen every second year by the people of the state.
The US Constitution delineates the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The US Senate is part of the legislative branch, which also includes the House of Representatives.
The US Congress, which includes the Senate, must assemble at least once a year, with meetings taking place on the first Monday in December unless a different day is appointed by law.
States and territories fill vacancies in the House of Representatives according to their own laws. When vacancies exceed 100 members, the Speaker of the House announces "extraordinary circumstances", triggering a special election within 49 days.









![Manual of members, officers, and standing committees and rules of the Senate of Virginia; also, the constitution of Virginia. 1899 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Constitution of the State of New York, Together with the Rules and Orders, Standing Committees, and List of Members of the Senate and Assembly for 1826. 1826 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)














