Congress Article I Guided Notes
Civics & Government Article I: The Legislative Branch
Article I: Congress & Lawmaking
Interactive Guided Notes Sheet • Follow along with the presentation
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Part 1: Article I Fundamentals & The Big Idea
1. Article I establishes the national government's legislative branch, known as .
2. Within the national government, Congress is responsible for .
3. Article I is the part of the U.S. Constitution.
4. Bicameralism means dividing Congress into Houses: the and the .
5. The Big Idea: The Framers created a legislature with authority than the Articles of Confederation, but one of powers.
Part 2: The Two Chambers of Congress
Complete the comparative specifications
| Feature |
House of Representatives |
The U.S. Senate |
| Basis of Representation |
States are represented (by population). |
representation: per state. |
| Total Current Members |
Currently voting members. |
Currently total senators. |
| Minimum Age Requirement |
Must be at least years old. |
Must be at least years old. |
| Length of Term & Rotation |
Serve for -year terms (entire chamber up every 2 yrs). |
Serve for -year terms; elected every 2 yrs. |
| How They Are Elected |
Have been elected directly by the people. |
Directly by citizens today due to the th Amendment. |
| Reelection Eligibility |
Can they run for reelection? [ ] |
Can they run for reelection? [ ] |
Part 3: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Trace the path of national legislation
1
Introduction & Passage
A bill is introduced in either chamber. Both houses must the bill.
2
Sent to the President
The President can it (becomes law) OR it (rejects).
3
Congressional Override
Congress can override a presidential veto with a vote in each House.
4
Judicial Review
Citizens can challenge enacted laws in if they violate the .
• What happens if Congress fails to achieve a 2/3 override vote?
• What does the term "veto" mean in plain English?
National Constitution Center • Article I Guided Notes Page 1 of 2
Article I: Debates, Compromise & Constitutional Powers
The 1787 Constitutional Convention & The Scope of Congressional Authority
Continued Note Sheet • Page 2
Part 4: Debates at the Constitutional Convention (May–Sept 1787, Philadelphia)
The Framers debated two critical questions: (1) Single vs. two houses (resolved quickly for bicameralism), and (2) Representation by population or equal state vote.
Large State Proposal
Virginia Plan
Key Champion: James Madison
- • Representation: (based on size/population).
- • Number of legislative chambers: .
- • Power to act on issues beyond the ability of .
- • Power to state laws contrary to national interest.
Small State Proposal
New Jersey Plan
Key Champion: William Paterson
- • Representation: house with vote per state.
- • Favored representation regardless of state size.
- • Expanded national powers to meet needs of a growing nation.
- • Kept the basic structure of the .
The Great Compromise
Connecticut Plan
Key Champion: Roger Sherman
- • Created houses of Congress.
- • House of Reps: based on representation.
- • Senate: based on representation ( per state).
- • Reconciled large and small state tensions.
Part 5: Drafting the Powers (The Committee of Detail & Article I, Section 8)
The Committee of Detail (Oliver Ellsworth, John Rutledge, James Wilson, Edmund Randolph, and Nathaniel Gorham) wrote the first full draft of the Constitution. Instead of giving Congress a vague grant of power, they drafted a specific list of enumerated powers.
Key Powers Granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8:
• Power to lay and collect
• Power to declare
• Power to borrow
• Power to raise and support
• Power to regulate interstate & foreign
• Power to provide and maintain a
• Power to coin
• Power to establish Post
Part 6: The Necessary & Proper Clause
Congress has the power to: "make all Laws which shall be and for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers..."
1. Why did the Framers include it?
To give Congress to pass legislation needed to enforce its specifically listed () powers.
2. Why is it controversial?
It became a key source of debate over whether national power should be or kept strictly .
Big Idea Check & Reflection
Why did the Framers deliberately choose a bicameral structure with different term lengths and representation methods for the House and Senate? How does this balance power?
National Constitution Center • Article I Guided Notes Page 2 of 2
