Three Branches of Government Legislative Executive Judicial

Article I – Legislative Branch

Legislative 2 Houses Powers Senate or “Upper House” House of Representatives or “Lower House” Powers Propose or Create Laws – Simple Majority Declare War Tax, Borrow and Collect Money

Legislative – House of Representatives Leader is the “Speaker of the House” Number determined by state population Have the power to impeach the president Serve 2-Year terms 25 years of age

Legislative - Senate Vice President leads the Senate 2 senators from each state = 100 total Can try impeachment – Supermajority Serve 6 year terms 30 years of age

Executive – Article II

Executive President leads the Executive Commander and Chief of the Army and Navy Appoints a Cabinet and Supreme Court Justices

Executive Main power is to enforce laws Two 4-year terms Grants pardons, veto laws, sign treaties Two 4-year terms 35 years of age, 14 years a citizen, born in United States Can be impeached – for treason, bribery, or other high crimes

Judicial – Article III

Judicial Supreme Court – lead by the Chief Justice Interprets the law according to the Constitution Final court of appeals for state and federal government

Judicial 9 Justices total – cannot change unless amended 4 judges needed to hear a case Can serve for life unless impeached or convicted No basic qualification listed in the Constitution Typically are lawyers or lower court judges Same political party as the President

Judicial