Limited Government Power the Constitution describes the specific powers and limits on power given to the national and state governments

Separation of Powers: The Constitution creates three separate branches of government: the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial

Checks and Balances: The Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances to prevent one branch from dominating the others. Each branch can “check” the power of the other two

Federalism- The Constitution divides power between the national and state governments

Flexibility- The Constitution leaves room for interpretation and allows the government powers that are not specifically granted it. The Amendment process allows future generations to change the document to suit their needs.

Popular Sovereignty: the source of all power or authority to govern is the people

Legislative Branch MAIN JOB/ ROLE IN GOVERNMENT: WRITES THE LAWS

The Legislative Branch is called CONGRESS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES- 435 MEMBERS, BASED ON POPULATION PART OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MOST CLOSELY CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE: – Every member has to run every two years – In original Constitution, only part of government that citizens directly voted for – MOST “DEMOCRATIC” PART OF GOV’T

Approximately every 700,000 Americans have one representative in the House of Representatives

SENATE: 100 MEMBERS: TWO PER STATE MORE “STABLE” HOUSE OF CONGRESS – 1/3 of Senators run every 6 years – Originally, appointed by state governments

The PEOPLE The STATE GOVERNMENT CONGRESSPRESIDENT THE SUPREME COURT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENATE VOTERS

How a Bill becomes a law A “bill”, or a proposed law, must pass both houses of Congress with over 50% voting for it It then goes to the President, who signs it into law or vetoes it If vetoed, Congress can override the veto with 2/3 majority in both houses

KEY POWERS: (DELEGATED POWERS) Taxation Borrowing Money Regulate (make rules for) foreign and interstate trade Naturalization (Immigration) laws Copyrights and Patents Declaring war/ regulating the military Print money

****Elastic clause**** “Congress has the power to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers” The first 17 clauses grant Congress very specific powers. This final clause allows the government to S-T-R-E-T-C-H its powers and do things not specifically listed if they are “necessary and proper”

POWERS DENIED TO CONGRESS: Can’t suspend habeas corpus- right of prisoners to challenge imprisonment in court – GOV’T has to bring charges

POWERS DENIED TO THE STATES: States cannot make treaties with other nations Creating their own money Tax imports to the state Maintain an army

KEY CHECKS ON EXECUTIVE BRANCH Override a presidential veto with 2/3 vote Approves or rejects Presidential treaties or appointments Impeach (bring charges against) and try (judge whether he is guilty) the President

KEY CHECKS ON JUDICIAL BRANCH Approves or rejects nominations for federal judges Creates the court system Can remove judges through impeachment

Article 1 (Legislative Branch) Quiz Please answer on any sheet of paper : 1)If the President vetoes a bill, how can it still become law? 2)Which part of the federal government is most “democratic” (most closely connected to “the people”?) How so? 3)Name 3 powers given to Congress in the Constitution. 4)Why is the “necessary and proper” clause called the elastic clause? 5)Congress may not suspend “habeas corpus”? What does that mean?

Executive Branch- The President PRESIDENT Chosen by the ELECTORAL COLLEGE (NOT BY POPULAR VOTE) Each state has an election; the winner of that state gets all its “electoral votes” M8Xbbw M8Xbbw

Electoral College election

MAIN ROLE IN GOVERNMENT: Enforce (“execute”) the law

Key Words: Cabinet- President’s advisors; heads of executive departments Veto- saying “no” to a law passed by Congress Electoral College- system of electing our president- not by popular vote

CHECKS BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: KEY CHECKS ON LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Can veto bills passed by Congress KEY CHECKS ON JUDICIAL BRANCH Appoints judges when there is a vacancy Can grant presidential pardons (forgiveness of a crime)

JUDICIAL BRANCH MAIN JOB/ ROLE IN GOVERNMENT – INTERPRET THE CONSTITUTION – Lower federal courts- hear federal trials – Supreme Court hears issues of Constitutional interpretation

SUPREME COURT 9 justices Appointed by the President; approved by Congress “independent judiciary”- SERVE FOR LIFE

JUDICIAL REVIEW- KEY CHECKS ON OTHER BRANCHES COURT CAN DECLARE LAWS PASSED BY CONGRESS AND PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS UNCONSTITUTIONAL KEY CHECKS ON LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL REVIEW: can declare a law passed by Congress unconstitutional if challenged in court KEY CHECKS ON EXECUTIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL REVIEW: can declare an executive action/ order unconstitutional Justices appointed for LIFE

LIMITED GOVERNMENT A B F G H Separation of powers/ Checks and Balances A B G I L federalismB F K Popular Sovereignty C E H FlexibilityD J Limi