The Role of Government

Executive - Requirements Constitutional Requirements: Be a native born citizen At least 35 years old A resident for at least 14 years within the U.S. Must have a strong educational background: Many presidents went to Ivy League colleges Average annual salary - $400,000/year for President, $203,000/year for Vice President, $175,000/year for each cabinet member

Limitation of Terms - President 22nd Amendment (1951) – Limits the President to two elected terms (8 years) or one term if they served over 2 years of another President’s term. If they served less than two years, they can serve two terms (10 years). George Washington originated the tradition of serving two terms Franklin Roosevelt broke this tradition by becoming elected to four terms.

Presidential Succession Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (Who becomes President next): Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore The Cabinet (in order of creation) 25th Amendment (1967): President nominates Vice President when the post becomes absent (must be ratified by the Senate and House of Representative)

The Presidential Cabinet Secretary of State – deals with foreign matters Sec. of Treasury – manages nation’s finances Sec. of Defense – military Sec. of Justice – handles legal work (Attorney General) Sec. of Interior – converses nation’s natural resources Sec. of Agriculture – Aids farmers Sec. of Commerce – aids businessmen engaged in domestic and foreign trade Sec. of Labor – aids workers Sec. of Health & Human Services – Directs federal social welfare programs Sec of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – encourages housing construction and slum clearance programs Sec. of Transportation – Supervises transportation systems Sec. of Energy – monitors nation’s energy needs Sec. of Education – directs federal education programs Sec. of Veterans Affairs – looks after veterans’ rights Department of Homeland Security – Keeps monitor on terrorists

Seven Roles for One President Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Diplomat Commander-In-Chief Chief Legislator Chief of Party Chief Guardian of the Economy

Legislative - Requirements House of Representatives Citizen of U.S. for 7 years Resident of the state At least 25 years old Senate U.S. citizen for 9 years State resident At least 30 years old

Membership of Congress House – 1929 law fixed membership at 435 The number of representatives for each state is calculated by the ratio of state population. This is completed by the Census every 10 years. Approximately 1 representative for every 465,000 people Senate – 2 from each state (100 members) Average Annual Salary - $158,100/year

Legislative – Term Limits There is NO term limit in Congress However, 21 states have passed term limits In the Supreme Court case, US Term Limits v. Thornton, it stated that there must be a Constitutional amendment to limit terms House of Representatives serve TWO year terms Senate members serve SIX year terms Every 2 years, 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection

Who’s in Charge? - Legislative House of Representatives The Speaker of the House (Paul Ryan) Chosen from the majority party Senate Official leader is the Vice President (Joe Biden) Only votes if there is a 50/50 tie In reality, the President pro tempore presides (Orrin Hatch)

Special Powers of the House of Representatives Start all revenue (tax) bills Brings charges of impeachment against federal officials Elect the President if any candidate fails to receive 270 electoral votes

Special Powers of the Senate Ratify treaties negotiated by the President (requires 2/3 vote) Senate sits as jury on charges of impeachment and decides the innocence/guilt of the person charged (2/3 vote) Approve Presidential appointments (majority vote) Approve the Vice President if the electoral college is deadlocked (majority vote)

Judicial Function – The judicial branch interprets (or explains) the laws Federal Court System The U.S. Supreme Court Court of Appeals – 11 District Courts – 93 Special Federal Courts Court of Claims Court of Customs and Patents Appeals Tax Court

Criminal Cases Cases involving a crime, the breaking of a law. If you lose a criminal case, you can go to prison!

Civil Cases Cases involving disagreements between parties or persons. If you lose a civil case, you owe money, but not jail time. You tend to see these types of cases on court TV (Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, The People’s Court, etc)

Criminal or Civil Robbing a bank Assault Causing a car accident that results in injuries Sexual Harassment Murder Damaging school property

The U.S. Supreme Court The highest court in the nation Has NINE justices (judges) on it They are selected by the President (with Senate approval) They serve for life They can be impeached for misconduct The Chief Justice runs all the meetings (John Roberts) A Majority (5 justices) must agree to reach a decision This decision is LAW!!!! – a 5-4 decision is the same as a 9-0

Judicial Review The Supreme Court has the power to decide whether a federal, state, or local law is UNCONSTITUTIONAL Chief Justice John Marshall gave the Supreme Court this power Before he did this, the Judicial Branch had very little power The Supreme Court has the right to choose which cases it wants to hear (chooses appx. 1 out of 100)

How Can Someone Change a Supreme Court Decision? Only the Supreme Court itself has the power to overturn a previous ruling The most important job of the Supreme Court is to make sure the Constitution is obeyed and no laws are passed that go against the Constitution.