Impeachment Impeachment removes an executive from office, it is the equivalent of being charged with violating a criminal law. “Treason, bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors.” HOUSE SENATEREMOVAL Brings charges against the president by majority vote. Holds a trial and acts as the jury, led by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Can convict and remove from office with 2/3 vote.

Impeachment in the US Three presidents have been tried for impeachment: Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.  Johnson was acquitted in the House by a margin of one vote  Nixon resigned before being impeached  Clinton was impeached in 1998, but acquitted by the Senate in 1999

Definition: A legislative proposal that if passed by both the House and the Senate and approved by the President becomes law. Picture Examples National Health Insurance Act (H.R. 15) Fair Tax Act (H.R. 25) Non- Examples Petitions Contracts Bill

Definition: The number of Representatives or Senators that must be present before business can begin. Picture Examples In the House, 218 members must be present for quorum In the Senate, 51 members must be present. Non- Examples 100% members must be present in order to take a vote Quorum

Definition: An informal term for an amendment or provision that is not relevant to the legislation where it is attached Picture Examples The REAL ID Act of 2005 which was attached to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense on the Global War on Terror (The rider dealt with drivers’ licenses but the bill dealt with supplying war materials) Non- Examples Amending a bill to update information related to the bill Rider

Definition: The original member who introduces a bill Picture Examples CA senator Diane Feinstein who sponsored Egg Products Inspection Act 2012 Non- Examples George Clooney who supported the ban of Prop 8 Sponsor

Definition: An informal term for extended debate or other procedures used to prevent a vote on a bill in the Senate. Picture Examples A senator recites Shakespeare and reads his favorite recipies for 15 hours to prevent Senate from voting on a bill Non- Examples A senator starts a fight with another senator who he does not agree with, preventing the vote from occurring. Filibuster

Definition: A motion generally used in the Senate to end a filibuster. Invoking cloture requires a vote by 3/5 of the full Senate. Picture Examples A debate is ended when 60 Senators agree on a compromise and a final vote on the Bill can be taken. Non- Examples The Speaker of the House says the debate is over Cloture

Definition: A power that allows the President, a Governor or a Mayor to refuse approval of a piece of legislation. Picture Examples The President vetoes an anti- immigration bill which goes back to Congress to fix Non- Examples The President forces Congress to take out an amendment of a bill Veto

The Courts and the Policy Agenda A Historical Review  John Marshall and the Growth of Judicial Review  Marbury v. Madison (1803) established judicial review—courts determine constitutionality of acts of Congress  The “Nine Old Men”  The Warren Court  The Burger Court  The Rehnquist Court

Our Representatives Senator Diane Feinstein HoR Karen Bass (33 rd district) HoR Maxine Waters (35 th district)

What is the Electoral College? The Electoral College is a group of people who elect the President Created because the writers of the Constitution did not trust the American people to choose the President What historical event might have added to the framers’ fear and distrust of ordinary Americans?

How Does the Electoral College Work? Each state chooses people to be “electors” in the Electoral College The number of electors each state gets is based on population The Electoral College meets in January to formally choose the President Winner takes all: The Presidential candidate who receives the majority of the popular votes in each state wins all of that state’s Electoral College votes. Presidential candidates need at least 270 Electoral College votes to win the election

What Are Swing States? States that do not consistently support one particular political party Swing States are important because ones with many electoral votes decide elections Map of 2008 Swing States: Who received more votes from swing states? Do you think that affected the outcome?

Electoral Votes CA has 55 electoral votes

Cabinets Department of State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Department of the Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner gov Department of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta k.mil Department of Justice Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. Department of the Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack Department of Commerce Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank ov Department of the Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner gov Department of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta k.mil Department of Justice Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. Department of the Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack Department of Commerce Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank ov

Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis De partment of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan D epartment of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano Department of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis De partment of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan D epartment of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano

House of Reps:435 Senate: 100 Supreme Court: 9

Court System Levels The Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the ultimate court of last resort. The U.S. Constitution is the "supreme law of the land." The Supreme Court is the ultimate interpreter of the U.S. constitution. It is, therefore, the highest and most important court in the county. The Supreme Court has the power to overturn federal or state laws that violate the constitution. Federal Courts of Appeals The U.S. Courts of Appeals are the federal intermediate appellate courts. They consist of 12 regional courts divided into circuits--11 geographic regions plus the District of Columbia. For instance, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit covers Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Another federal appellate court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit handles appeals from specific subject matters---like patents, international trade and appeals from certain agencies. Federal District Courts

State Courts Each state as well as the District of Columbia has its own court system. Most states have a trial court, an intermediate appellate court and a court of last resort. However, some states, like Vermont, Montana, and Nevada, only have a trial court and a supreme court. State courts generally handle all civil and criminal matters arising under state law. Most states have their own constitution and a state supreme court that has the power to interpret their constitution similar to how the U.S. Supreme Court interprets the U.S. Constitution. Administrative Courts