Aim: What role does the government play? Homework: a) Look at the Current Event schedule and be prepared to present your Current Event when it is due.

Structure of the United States Government The United States Government is broken up into three separate, but equal branches. Each branch has their own roles and responsibilities.

Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch as a bi-cameral legislature. It is made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate. There is a total of 535 total members of Congress. Congress’ main responsibility is to make the laws for the country.

Senate House of Representatives Legislative Branch 100 Number of Representatives 435 2 Senators per state What Determines Representation? Population of state – minimum of 1 per state 6 years Term of Office 2 years 9 years Citizenship 7 years 30 years Minimum Age 25 Must live in the state he or she represents Residency Must live in the state he or she represents Vice-President or Pro Tempore Presiding Officer Speaker of the House

Powers of Congress Collect taxes Establish post offices Regulate trade Make rules for citizenship Coin money Set standards for weights and measures Grant copyrights and patents Establish federal courts Declare war Raise and support an armed forces To make all laws which are necessary and proper

Role of the Senate (Upper House) Senator Charles Grassley Confirms Presidential Appointments Ratifies treaties with foreign countries Acts as the jury in impeachment trials of federal officials Chooses Vice President if there is no majority in Electoral College (12th Amendment) Senate Pro Tempore Senator Charles Grassley

Role of the House of Representatives (Lower House) Introduces revenue bills Chooses Speaker of the House Brings impeachment charges of federal officials Chooses President if there is no majority in the Electoral College (12th Amendment) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Executive Branch Article II of the Constitution establishes the Executive Branch. It is made up of the President, Vice-President, and the 15 cabinet offices. The Executive Branch’s main responsibility is to enforce the laws for the country.

When did they take office? What political party do they belong to? President Requirements Vice President Donald J. Trump Current Michael Pence January 20, 2017 When did they take office? Republican What political party do they belong to? Electoral College Who selects them? Natural born citizens Citizenship Natural born citizen* 35 Minimum Age 35* Must live in the U.S. for 14 yrs Residency Must live in the U.S. for 14 yrs* 4 years Maximum 2 Terms Term of Office

Powers of the President Serves as commander in chief of the armed forces Makes treaties Appoint ambassadors to foreign countries Call Congress together for special law-making sessions Make appointments to the executive branch Grant pardons and reprieves (suspends punishment ordered by law) for federal crimes Make appointments to the federal courts Sign and veto bills Carry out the laws of the United States Gives the State of the Union Speech annually

Judicial Branch Article III of the Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch. It is made up of nine Supreme Court justices. The Judicial Branch’s main responsibility is to interpret the laws for the country. Top row Left to Right Chief Justice: John G. Roberts Associate Justices: Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito Second Row left to Right Associate Justices: Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, and Brett M. Kavanaugh

Requirements of Judicial Branch What political party do they belong to? Doesn’t matter Who appoints them? The President Who ratifies the appointments? The Senate Citizenship Minimum Age None Residency Term of Office For life

Types of Cases the Supreme Court Hears The first kind involves disputes between states. The second involves foreign ambassadors. It serves as a final court of appeals. It hears cases that have been tried and appealed as far as law permits in federal and state courts.

Role of the Supreme Court If the Supreme Court finds that a law passed by Congress conflicts with (goes against) the Constitution it must declare the law unconstitutional. The law is then “thrown out”. This power to review a law and decide whether it is constitutional or not is known as judicial review. A Supreme Court decision sets a precedent (a rule that must be followed and applied to similar situations in the future) for all U.S. courts to follow when making their decisions.

How does a bill become a law? Introduction of a Bill: Bills, or written ideas for a law, can start in either house of Congress. They can be introduced by citizens, Congressmen, or be proposals from the President.

How does a bill become a law? Once proposed, the bill is sent to committee (group of legislators dealing with specific topics or issues of study)

How does a bill become a law? Committee Stage: Committee members investigate the bill and debate whether to approve, amend, or kill the bill. Most changes occur at this stage. If approved, the bill is sent to the house’s floor for debate. However, most bills die at this stage.

How does a bill become a law? On the Floor for Consideration: The bill is debated on the floor of the house where the bill began. The bill is approved or killed. If it is approved it is sent to the other legislative house, and sent to the committee stage.

How does a bill become a law? Consideration by the Other House: On the floor of the second house, the bill is again debated and either approved or killed. Is the same exact version of the bill is approved by a simple majority of both Houses it is sent to the President. If differences exist, the two versions of the bill go to the Senate-House Conference Committee.

How does a bill become a law? Senate-House Conference Committee: If differences exist between the Senate and House versions of the bill, a Conference Committee, made up of members from both Houses, “iron out” the differences and create a compromise bill Both houses of Congress must approve the compromise bill before it can go to the President.

How does a bill become a law? Enactment: The President can sign the bill and it becomes a law. The President can veto the bill and the bill dies. Congress can override a President’s veto with a 2/3 majority vote