The Constitution: A More Perfect Union Chapter 9 Pgs. 119 - 129

Preamble Explains the reason for the new government Goals: Make the country better Make laws that are for everyone Insure people peace and order Protect people from other countries Have an economy where people can prosper Enjoy freedom for ourselves and the future generations

Legislative Branch House of Representatives (# based on population of state) 2 year terms 435 members 25 years old or older Citizen for at least 7 years

Legislative Branch Senate (2 from each state) 6 year terms 100 members 30 years old or older Citizen for at least 9 years

New Laws To make a new law any member of the House or Senate needs to submit a bill Only the House can propose new taxes

How a Bill Becomes Law Starts with the House and Senate Both introduces a bill and sends it to a committee Committee approves or disapproves the bill Both debate and pass its form of the bill – floor approves or not Both compromise on differences between the two versions President signs bill into law – if reject can veto the bill

Executive Branch Carries out the law To become president must have the most electoral votes 4 year term Promises to defend the Constitution – Oath of Office

Powers of the President Head of military Make agreements with other countries Nominates Ambassadors and Supreme Court Justices Grant pardons for crimes

Impeachment Remove the President from office for: Bribery High crimes Misdemeanors

Questions What were the goals of the Preamble? What are the criteria for House of Reps and the Senate? How does a bill become law? What are the powers of the President? What can cause the President to be impeached?

Judicial Branch System of courts and judges Level of the Courts – Supreme Court Appellate Courts District Courts

Supreme Court 9 members Serve their entire lives Do about 100 cases per year

Checks and Balances Limits the power of the 3 branches Checks – blocks the actions of another branch Balance – gives each branch equal power

Amendment Change to the Constitution

National Government Power Print coin and paper money Controls relations with foreign neighbors Federalism – divides power between the national and state governments

Questions What are the names of the courts from the highest to lowest levels? How does the system of checks and balances work? What are amendments? How many Supreme Court Justices are their and how long can they serve? What is Federalism?