Branches of Government Checks and Balances in Action

The Legislative BranchLegislative Branch This branch is comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate.House of Representatives Senate

Requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives Chosen every two years Must be at least 25 years old Citizen of the US for at least seven years Must live within the state Michael Fitzpatrick

Requirements to be a member of the Senate Chosen every six years Must be at least 30 years old Must be a citizen for at least nine years Must live in the state Robert Casey, Jr. Pat Toomey

Refer to your copy of the US Constitution! Read and discover: What powers does Congress have? What is their role in the Government?

Congressional checks on the Executive Branch Impeach and remove the President Override a veto by two-thirds vote Controls appropriation of money Senate can refuse to confirm presidential appointments Senate can refuse to ratify treaties

Congressional checks on the Judicial Branch Impeach and remove federal judges Refuse to confirm judicial appointments Establishes lower federal court Can propose constitutional amendments to overturn court decisions

Stop and Summarize Address the issue of limitations and hypothesize why these limitations might be in place.

The Executive Branch This branch is comprised of the President, the Vice President, the President’s Cabinet and federal agencies

Requirements to be President Must be a natural born citizen Must be at least 35 years old Must reside in the US for fourteen years prior to election

Refer to your copy of the US Constitution! Read and discover: What powers does the President have? What the Presidents role in the Government?

Presidential checks the Legislative Branch Veto acts of Congress Call special sessions of congress Suggest legislation and send messages to Congress

Presidential checks on the Judicial Branch Appoints Supreme Court justices and other federal judges Grant reprieves and pardons

Stop and Summarize Address the issue of limitations and hypothesize why these limitations are different from the ones related to the Legislative Branch

Judicial Branch The Supreme Court is currently made up of the Chief Justice and eight other justices

Requirements to become a Supreme Court Justice Must be appointed by the President Must be approved by Congress Current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: John G. Roberts

Refer to your copy of the US Constitution! Read and discover: What powers does the Supreme Court have? What is their role in the Government?

Judicial Checks on the Legislative Branch Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

Judicial Checks on the Executive Branch Declare executive acts unconstitutional Appointment for life makes judges free from executive control

Stop and Summarize Address the issue of limitations and hypothesize how these limitations favor justice