Omar Bennett
The US Constitution outlines the basic principles of the country's government, including the establishment of justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, and general welfare. The Constitution also provides for a House of Representatives and a Senate, with the former carrying out the function of making and passing federal laws. The House of Representatives is divided into congressional districts, which are electoral divisions for electing members to the House. These districts are geographical portions of a state or province and are created to provide voters with representation in the legislature. The term constituency is commonly used to refer to these electoral districts, especially in British English, and they vary in size and the number of representatives they elect. Constituencies are a fundamental part of the democratic process, ensuring that eligible electors can choose their representatives and have their voices heard in the legislative process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of voting representatives in the House | Fixed by law at no more than 435 |
| Who elects the representatives | People of the several states |
| How often are representatives elected | Every second year |
| Who can be a representative | A person who has attained the age of 25 years, been seven years a citizen of the US, and is an inhabitant of the state he or she represents |
| Who can be an elector | A person with the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature |
| Number of senators representing each state | Undecided, but agreed to be more than one and less than the House |
| Powers of the Congress | To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court, to define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, make rules concerning captures on land and water, and to raise and support armies |
| Who can be President | No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice |
| Powers of the Supreme Court | To examine federal legislation, federal executive, and all state branches of government, to decide their constitutionality, and to strike them down if found unconstitutional |
| Powers of the House | To make and pass federal laws, introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees |
| Powers of the Senate | To have the responsibility of appointment |
| Powers of the Courts | To regulate government under the Constitution, the supreme law of the land |
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What You'll Learn
The US House of Representatives
The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states. Each representative serves a two-year term and represents a specific congressional district. To be elected, a representative must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.
Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees. They also carry out a broad scope of work to represent their constituents. Elections for representatives are held every two years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Seats vacated during a term are usually filled through special elections, unless the vacancy occurs close to the next general election.
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The Senate
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia established equal representation in the Senate, with proportional representation in the House of Representatives. This agreement was part of what is referred to as The Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise. The delegates agreed that the Senate was to be a smaller body than the House, but there was disagreement as to how small. James Madison of Virginia argued that the Senate's use was:
> "to consist in its proceeding with more coolness, with more system, & with more wisdom, than the popular branch," a task better suited to a smaller body.
The delegates agreed that two senators from each state would serve six-year terms in the Senate. This was a compromise between those framers who wanted a strong, independent Senate, and those who feared the possible tyranny of an aristocratic upper house, insulated from popular opinion. The Constitution also states that the vice president serves as president of the Senate.
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The role of constituents
The term "constituency" is commonly used to refer to an electoral district, especially in British English. It can also refer to the body of eligible voters or all the residents of the represented area, or only those who voted for a certain candidate. In the context of the United States Constitution, the term congressional district is used to refer to an electoral district.
The U.S. Constitution establishes a federal government with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the House being the people's chamber. Each state is represented by two senators, while the number of representatives in the House is proportional to the state's population.
During elections, constituents vote for their preferred candidate to represent them in the House. The district representative may be elected through a single-winner first-past-the-post system, a multi-winner proportional representative system, or another voting method. The voting methods and the district boundaries are determined by the legislative body or the state's constitution.
The constituents play an essential role in holding their representatives accountable and ensuring they fulfil their duties effectively. Constituents can share their thoughts, concerns, and feedback with their representatives, who are expected to respond and address the issues raised by their constituents. This two-way communication helps representatives make informed decisions and create policies that benefit the people they represent.
In summary, constituents are the backbone of the American democratic system. They elect their representatives, hold them accountable, and engage with them to ensure their needs and interests are addressed. The representatives, in turn, work to serve their constituents and make laws that impact their daily lives. This dynamic relationship between constituents and their elected officials is a fundamental aspect of the U.S. political system.
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The Supreme Court
The Court's power of judicial review, while not explicitly stated in the Constitution, has been a key tool in shaping American law and policy. This power allows the Court to examine federal and state laws and actions, determining their constitutionality and striking down those that conflict with the Constitution. From 1790 to 1941, the Court found 658 cases of invalid state statutes, showcasing its active role in safeguarding constitutional principles.
The Court's composition and procedures are outlined in the Constitution. It consists of nine justices, including a Chief Justice, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The justices serve for life, ensuring judicial independence. The Court's jurisdiction includes cases arising under the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties, as well as disputes between states or involving foreign nations.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court, as established and empowered by the US Constitution, serves as the ultimate guardian of constitutional rights and liberties. Through its judicial review and precedent-setting decisions, the Court ensures that the laws and actions of the nation adhere to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, shaping American society and governance in the process.
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Amendments
The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and courts established by it can regulate the government under it. The Constitution can only be changed by an extraordinary legislative process of national proposal, followed by state ratification. Amendments to the Constitution are proposed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. There have been 27 amendments to the Constitution, with approximately 11,848 proposals introduced in Congress since 1789. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously on December 15, 1791.
The Ninth Amendment was added as a compromise, as Anti-Federalists refused to ratify the Constitution without a more specific list of protections. The rights protected by the Ninth Amendment are referred to as "unenumerated" and include important rights such as the right to travel, the right to privacy, and the right to vote. The Tenth Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights to define the balance of power between the federal government and the states.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments are collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments. The Twenty-first Amendment, ratified in 1933, is the only amendment that explicitly repeals a previous amendment. It repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, which established the prohibition of alcohol. The Supreme Court has played a significant role in interpreting the Constitution and determining the constitutionality of federal and state laws.
The US House of Representatives, part of the federal government's legislative branch, makes and passes federal laws. The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states. Each representative serves a two-year term and is elected to represent a specific congressional district. They introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees.
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Frequently asked questions
A constituency is a geographical portion of a political unit, such as a country, state, or province, city, or administrative region. It is also referred to as an electoral district or riding. Constituencies are created to provide voters with representation in a legislature.
The number of congressional districts is determined by a constitutionally mandated decennial census conducted by the Bureau of the Census. Each state is responsible for the redistricting of districts within their state.
Representatives, also referred to as congressmen or congresswomen, carry out a broad scope of work to represent their constituents. They introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees.
The House of Representatives is based on population, with each representative serving the people of a specific congressional district. On the other hand, the Senate provides equal representation for each state, with each state having the same number of senators.
