The Constitution is Signed The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787.

The United States Constitution The Constitution of the United States of America is the written document that established a federal system of government based on power divided between the national and state governments.

Established the Basic Principles of our Government. Separation of powers three separate branches of government: Executive Branch (President) Legislative Branch (Congress) Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

Executive Branch -The President Barack Obama

Veto’s (does not approve) bills passed by congress Executive Branch -The President Signs (approves) or Veto’s (does not approve) bills passed by congress - if signed the bill becomes a law - if vetoed the bill returns to Congress If two-thirds of all the members of Congress vote "yes," the bill can still become law. The bill dies when there are not enough votes to override the President.

Executive Branch -The President Carries out federal laws Recommends new laws to Congress As Commander-in-Chief he directs national defense & commands the military Directs foreign policy, and deals with international powers Performs ceremonial duties.

Executive Branch Also includes: Vice-President The President’s Cabinet Federal Departments Joe Biden John Kerry, Secretary of State and others The State Department The Department of Defense The F.B.I. And other Depts.

QUIZ

Who is the head of the Executive branch of government ?

2. If there are 100 senators, how many of their votes are required to override a veto?

3. Which would defiantly not be a part of the executive branch of the Federal Government? The Environmental Protection Agency The Federal Bureau of Investigation. The State Department The New York Department of Education

4. What is the name of the Vice President of the USA?

5. The President can do all of the things below except: Command the Military to evacuate American citizens from a foreign country Write a Law that prohibits the carrying of a loaded weapon. Sign a bill into law. Veto a bill and return it to Congress

Legislative Branch (Congress) makes the laws.

Legislative Branch (Congress) makes the laws. Congress is a two-house legislature. The House of Representatives The Senate 100 Senators 435 Congressmen

Legislative Branch (Congress) 1. The Senate - all states are represented equally in the Senate (two Senators per state) Senators serve for a 6-year term Only the Senate can approve or reject treaties and presidential nominations for government offices. NY Senators: Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand

Legislative Branch (Congress) 2. House of Representatives (number of a state’s representatives is based on state’s population). NY – 28 Congressmen and Congresswomen Congressmen only serve a 2-year term Only the House can introduce spending bills

9 judges (justices) serve on the Court; they are appointed for life. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) determines if laws made by Congress are constitutional. 9 judges (justices) serve on the Court; they are appointed for life.

Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) All of the other courts in the United States must follow the ruling or the decision made by the justices of the Supreme Court. the power to judge whether federal, state, and local governments are acting within the law. The Supreme Court can also decide if a president's action is unconstitutional.

Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) The wording of the Constitution is complex, so it must be studied and examined carefully. When questions concerning particular laws arise in lower courts, the justices who make up the Supreme Court are responsible for explaining and interpreting the Constitution.

QUIZ

What are the two houses of Congress called?

2. How many senators does each state have?

3. How many years does a senator serve?

4. What determines how many congressmen a state may send to the House of Representatives?

5. True or False: Only the Senate can approve or reject treaties made with foreign countries?

6. Name one senator from the state of New York.

7. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) determines if laws made by Congress are ___________ .

8. How long a term does a Congressmen serve?

9. How long a term does a Justice of the Supreme Court serve?

10. The _______________ Branch of our government makes the laws.

Aim: How does the U.S. Constitution's system of “Checks and Balances work? Do Now: Why do you think a government might need a system where one branch of the government has some control over what another branch does?

The Constitution established a government based on a system of Checks and Balances These checks keep any one branch from gaining too much power. Each branch can check the power of the other.

Examples of Checks and Balances If Congress passes a bill the President doesn't like… Executive Legislative

Examples of Checks and Balances …he can veto the bill… Executive Legislative

Examples of Checks and Balances But Congress can pass the bill into law over the veto by a vote of 2/3 of its members… Executive Legislative

Examples of Checks and Balances Congress also has the ability to impeach the President (remove him from office) if he commits "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors". Executive Legislative

Examples of Checks and Balances If Congress passes a law that The Supreme Court finds unconstitutional the law can no longer be used Legislative Judicial

Examples of Checks and Balances But Congress has the power to change the Constitution by passing amendments (changes) to it, although… Legislative Judicial

It is not easy to change the Constitution It is not easy to change the Constitution. Two-thirds of the House and Senate need to approve of the proposal and send it to the states for a vote. Then, three-fourths of the state legislatures must also affirm the proposed Amendment. Since 1787, over 9,000 amendments have been proposed, but only 27 have been approved.

Examples of Checks and Balances The Supreme Court can decide that a president's action is unconstitutional Executive Judicial

Examples of Checks and Balances But it’s the President who selects candidates for the Supreme Court when one of the Justices retires or dies. Judicial Executive

Name one way in which: The Executive branch of our government checks the power of the Legislative branch. The Legislative checks the Executive The Judicial checks the Legislative The Legislative checks the Judicial The Executive checks the Judicial The Judicial checks the Executive