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Congress constitution
Article I, Section 1: The Legislative Vesting Clause Article I opens by giving all federal lawmaking power to Congress, and only the powers "herein granted," which is the root of the nondelegation principle. Article I, Section 2: The House of Representatives Section 2 sets up the House: two-year terms, members chosen by the people, the census, apportionment, vacancies, the Speaker and the impeachment power. Article I, Section 3: The Senate Section 3 builds the Senate: two senators per state, six-year staggered terms, the Vice President's tie vote, and the Senate's power to try impeachments. Article I, Section 5: Rules, Quorum and Discipline in Each House Section 5 makes each house judge of its own members, sets the quorum, lets each house write rules and expel members, and requires a journal. Article I, Section 6: Pay, Privileges and the Speech or Debate Clause Section 6 sets members' pay by law, protects their speech in Congress and travel to sessions, and bars them from holding other federal offices at the same time. Article I, Section 7: How a Bill Becomes Law Section 7 says revenue bills start in the House, every bill must pass both houses and go to the President, and a veto can be overridden by two-thirds of each. Article I, Section 8: The Powers of Congress Section 8 lists the powers of Congress, from taxing, borrowing and regulating commerce to declaring war, ending with the Necessary and Proper Clause. Article I, Section 9: Limits on Congress Section 9 lists what Congress may never do: suspend habeas corpus outside rebellion or invasion, pass attainders or ex post facto laws, or spend without law. Article II, Section 4: Impeachment Section 4 allows removal of the President, Vice President and all civil officers for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Article IV, Section 3: New States and Federal Property Section 3 lets Congress admit new states, bars carving states without consent, and gives Congress power over federal territory and property. Article V: Amending the Constitution Article V sets two ways to propose amendments, by Congress or a convention of the states, and requires ratification by three-fourths of the states. Article VI: Debts, the Supremacy Clause and the Oath Article VI honors pre-Constitution debts, makes the Constitution and federal law the supreme law of the land, and bars religious tests for federal office. The Twentieth Amendment: The Lame Duck Amendment The Twentieth Amendment moved the start of presidential and congressional terms to January and set rules for when a President-elect dies or fails to qualify. The Twenty-seventh Amendment: Congressional Pay The Twenty-seventh Amendment says a law changing congressional pay cannot take effect until after the next House election; proposed in 1789, ratified in 1992.