Article One of the United States Constitution

Article One of the United States Constitution establishes the legislative branch of government, Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Article establishes the manner of election and qualifications of members of each House. In addition, it outlines legislative procedure and enumerates the powers vested in the legislative branch. Finally, it establishes limits on federal and state legislative power.

Related Topics:
United States Constitution - Legislative branch - Congress - House of Representatives - Senate

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Each of the first three Articles of the Constitution concern one of the three branches of the federal government. The legislative branch is established under Article One, the executive branch under Article Two, and the judicial branch under Article Three.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Article One is the longest of the seven Articles forming the original United States Constitution. Amendments to Article One, unlike amendments to other articles, have been restricted by the Constitution. No amendment made prior to 1808 could affect the first and fourth clauses of Section Nine. The first clause prevented Congress from prohibiting the slave trade until 1808; the fourth barred any direct taxes that were not apportioned among the States according to population. Furthermore, the Constitution precludes Congress from depriving a state of equal representation in the Senate without the state's consent.

Related Topics:
1808 - Slave trade

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See for the text of the Article.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~