The three branches of government Separation of Powers The three branches of government

What is “Separation of powers?” To keep one branch from becoming too powerful, the Constitution splits the powers of the federal government into 3 branches

What do you already know?? FILL IN THE BLANKS IN THE SENTENCES BELOW The 3 branches of our government are_______________, _____________, & _______________. The ______________ Branch of our government makes the laws. The ______________ Branch of our government enforces our laws. What are the two parts of our Congress? ____________ and _____________. There are _____ senators. ________________ study laws to see if they are correct according to the Constitution. What city do the major branches of our federal government meet and work in? The_______________ is the leader of the Executive Branch of our government.

Executive Branch: The president and his staff in the White House Carries out federal laws Can recommend new laws, but cannot pass them Performs ceremonial duties Commands the Armed Forces (Commander-in –Chief) Can veto laws passed by Congress

The President

Qualifications for President Must have been born in the United States(or on American soil abroad) Must be age 35 upon taking office Serves terms of four years; can be re-elected to a 2nd term Can grant ­pardons Appoints Supreme Court justices, ambassadors and other public officers Receive foreign heads of state and officials Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the only president to be elected more than twice. He won the presidency four times but died shortly into his last term. The Twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution was passed in 1951, limiting a president to two terms. http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/october-2011-photo-day

Further facts about the President: The writers of the Constitution intended for Congress to be the most powerful branch of government. In recent times, however, the president has become nearly as powerful. Although he is the single most important figure in our government, he must still have congressional approval for many of his actions. At the beginning of each session of Congress, the president must report on the State of the Union. The president gives his opinion, in this important speech, of how the country is doing and presents his ideas about what needs to be done in the coming year. The work of government moves along smoothly when the president and Congress cooperate. Otherwise, very little can be accomplished -- this is called "gridlock.“ http://youtu.be/Vvy0wRLD5s8

Line of succession: If the president is removed or incapacitated, next in line is the…. vice president the speaker of the House the Senate president then the members of the Cabinet, beginning with the secretary of state and ending with the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs.

Take a moment to remember the Revolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhdmDDBjco0&feature=related

Article I: Legislative Branch Who & Where? Congress and their staff in the Congressional Building in D.C. Divided into two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate Main Job is to write, debate and pass the laws

The two houses of Congress House of Representatives Senate The “lower house” or “people’s house” Minimum age: 25 years old Length of term: 2 years Based on population of a state Framers made this house to be closer to the common people Tax bills must begin in this house Vote to hold impeachment hearing if an elected official is accused of a crime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6LWHFVzjKY The “upper house” or “distinguished” house Minimum age: 30 years old Length of term: 6 years All states have two Framers made this house to be more consistent and stable. Hold the impeachment trial and vote to convict or find innocent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj4aMGlf6bA&feature=relmfu

The Senate Filibuster If a congressman or woman wants to slow down or prevent a bill from passing the senate, they can “talk it to death” To end a filibuster a cloture vote must be made with 60/100 senators in agreement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQIG-kfT9bI&feature=relmfu

How laws are made A bill is introduced in one of the houses That house debates and votes on it in committees If it gets a majority of that house to approve it, it goes to the other house. If it gets a majority of that house to approve it, it goes to the president. He may sign it or veto it If he vetoes it, congress can override his veto with a 2/3 vote. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TI8xqLl_-w&feature=related

Judicial Branch Headed by the Supreme Court Also made up of district (lowest tier) and appellate ( middle tier)courts Its job is to make sure the laws obey the Constitution

Quiz your neighbor

This is the extent of the president's duties, and later amendments and laws further shaped the presidency. The 22nd Amendment (ratified after Franklin Roosevelt's record three full terms) limited the president to two terms, although these needn't be consecutive. President Grover Cleveland served two terms with a four year hiatus in between.