Whatever happened to majority rule? When is a “super” majority (2/3 of the House and Senate) was required by the constitution?
Section 3: PRESCRIBES composition of Senate (2 Senators from each State), term of office (6 year elective term), and voting power (one vote per Senator). REQUIRES qualifications for Membership: 30 years of age, nine years a US Citizen, and a resident of the State electing him/her. Vice President is President of the Senate, with one vote that he may exercise only to break a tie. GRANTS power to choose their Officers, and a President Pro Tem; GRANTS power to try impeachments, with conviction only by a 2/3 majority. LIMITS penalty of impeachment to removal from office and disqualification from receiving government honor, trust or profit, but explicitly withholds any grant of immunity from separate criminal charges.
Section 7: REQUIRES all taxing bills to commence in the House, with the Senate having right of amendment. PRESCRIBES procedure for President to approve or refuse to enact legislation within 10 days (or it becomes law automatically); PRESCRIBES that a 2/3 majority of the Congress may override Presidential veto of legislation. REQUIRES Presidential approval or legislative override for all legislative enactments.
Article II: CREATES THE PRESIDENCY
Section 2:
GRANTS:
Title of Commander in Chief of the Army, the Navy and the MilitiaPower to require written opinions of the Principal Officer of each Executive Department on any subject relating to their duties
Power to Reprieve and Pardon for Offenses against the United States (except in cases of Impeachment)
To make Treaties with 2/3 concurrence of the Senate
To Nominate ambassadors, Supreme Court judges, and any other US Officers whose jobs aren’t defined in the Constitution (however Congress may create offices to be filled by appointment by the President, the Courts, or Dept Heads)
To fill Senate vacancies
ARTICLE V: PROTECTS THE CONSTITUTION
PERMITS Congress to amend on 2/3 vote.
PERMITS 2/3 of State Legislatures to call for a Constitutional Convention.
PERMITS 3/4 of State Legislatures to adopt an amendment to the Constitution.
PROHIBITS Constitutional amendment that would deprive any State of its voting representation in the Senate without the State’s consent.
Bayh Addresses Elephant In The Senate, Calls For Filibuster Reform