The Three Branches of Government

The Legislative Branch Separation of Powers—the division of government into distinct areas with different braches of government exercising different powers

Legislative ExecutiveJudicial

The Legislative Branch Found in Article 1 of Constitution: –Make the laws –What is the difference between a bill and a law? –List the powers of Congress:List the powers of Congress:

The Legislative Branch House of Representatives –435 members –Representation based on population –Apportionment—planned distribution

The Legislative Branch Apportionment determined by examining population changes shown in census count.

The Legislative Branch Membership Requirements –25 years old –US citizen for 7 years –Resident of state/district

The Legislative Branch House of Representatives –2 year term –Presiding Officer: Speaker of the House

John Boehner Speaker of the House 112 th Congress

The Legislative Branch Senate –2 senators per state –50 states = 100 senators

The Legislative Branch Membership Requirements –30 years old –US citizen for 9 years –Resident of state

The Legislative Branch Presiding Officer: Vice President –Six year terms –Casts tie breaking votes –President pro tempore leads in absence

Joe Biden Vice President of the United States

Executive Branch

Barack Obama 44 th President of the United States

Executive Branch Chief officer: President Job Requirements –Native-born US citizen –35 years old –US resident for 14 years

Executive Branch Term –4 year term –22 nd Amendment limits to two terms –VP becomes president upon death/removal

Franklin D. Roosevelt 32nd President of the United States Elected to four terms as President

“The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” -- United States Constitution Article II, Section 4

Executive Branch Impeach—to bring charges against a president suspected of committing a crime or violating essential duties

Andrew Johnson 17th President of the United States Impeached 1868

Bill Clinton 42nd President of the United States Impeached 1998

House of Representatives Impeach—charge Simple majority to impeach Senate Trial 2/3 majority to convict Removal from office

Executive Branch Main power: Enforce the Laws Veto—power of the president to cancel laws that Congress passes Congress can override veto with 2/3 majority of both houses

Congress passes a bill Bill sent to president Sign bill into law Veto bill Bill returned to Congress Bill passed by 2/3 majority of both house  bill becomes law; presidential veto overridden Bill fails to attain 2/3 majority in both houses  bill dead

Executive Branch Executive Order—a command that has the force of law Pardons—Power to grant freedom from punishment for a person convicted of a federal crime or facing criminal charges Nominate- Supreme Court Justices (but Senate has to approve)

Executive Branch Commander-in-chief Making treaties Cabinet—heads of executive departments who advise the president

Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch Federal Judiciary –Consist of Federal Courts & Supreme Court –Main Power: Interpret the Laws Strike down unconstitutional laws

The Judicial Branch Judges –Appointed by president (approved by Senate) –Lifetime appointment

The Judicial Branch Multi-tiered Court system –District Courts –Courts of Appeal –Supreme Court

The Supreme Court “Court of final appeal” Hears about 100 cases a year Most cases involve important constitutional issues

The Supreme Court Nine justices Presiding Officer: Chief Justice No specific requirements

The Federal System Representative Democracy—a government led by officials who are chosen by the people

The Federal System Federalism –Power divided between state & national governments –A system of shared responsibility

The Federal System Delegated Powers— powers granted to the federal government

“The Congress shall have Power…To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States…” --United States Constitution Article I, Section 8

The Federal System Elastic Clause—allows Congress to stretch its powers to address issues that the nation’s founders may not have foreseen

The Federal System Reserved Powers— powers retained by the state governments or by its citizens

The Federal System Concurrent Powers— powers that are held by both the federal & state governments

The Three Branches of Government