Three Branches of the United States Government

The Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The Preamble Tells the Goals of Government “We The People” Based on the authority of the people Goals- Remember the Articles of Confederation… To form “A More Perfect Union” – Remember the Articles of Confederation? What was wrong? To “Establish Justice” – There was NO National Court System To “Insure Domestic Tranquility” – peace and order in the country… Shays’s Rebellion To “provide for the common defense” –protecting Americans from foreign invaders… Why??? To “promote the general welfare” – an economy and society where people prosper To “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” – freedom now and in the future

Analysis Knowing what the founders had in mind when they wrote the Constitution, how well do you think the leaders today follow what they had set forth in the Preamble. Use specific examples.

Legislative Branch Congress Makes Laws House of Representatives 435 Members Representatives serve 2 year term A representative must be 25 years old to be elected and a citizen for 7 years Can propose tax laws Can impeach the president

Legislative Branch Congress Makes Laws Senate 100 Members Senators serve 6 year term A Senator must be 30 years old to be elected and a citizen for 9 years Can approve presidential appointments Ratifies treaties with foreign governments Can try the president after impeachment

Legislative Branch Congress Makes Laws Both Together 535 Members Can propose laws Can declare war Can override the president’s veto with a 2/3 vote Can propose amendments to the Constitution with 2/3 vote

How a Bill Becomes a Law 1. House/Senate introduces bill and sends it to a committee 2. House/Senate committee approves the bill 6. President signs bill into law or vetoes (needing 2/3 vote by Congress to override) 3. House/Senate debates and passes on its form of the bill 4. House and Senate committees compromise on differences between 2 versions 5. House and Senate pass revised bill

Executive Branch President, Vice President, Cabinet Enforces Laws The president serves a 4 year term The president must be at least 35 years old, a 14 year resident, and native born Has power to approve or veto laws

Executive Branch President, Vice President, Cabinet Enforces Laws Makes treaties with foreign governments Nominates judges to the Supreme Court Appoints cabinet members Is Commander-in-Chief of U.S. military forces

Judicial Branch Supreme and Federal Courts Interprets Laws Justices of the Supreme Court serve for life Can declare laws unconstitutional Can settle disputes involving the United States Can settle disputes between states Chief Justice presides over impeachment trial of the president Can review all laws and treaties

Checks and Balances Checking the Power of Other Branches “Checks” allow one branch to block the actions of another branch 1. Congress can pass laws 2. President can check power by vetoing bill before it becomes law 3. Congress can check President’s power with 2/3 vote 4. Judicial Branch can also check actions of others Balancing the Power of Other Branches “Balances” allow each branch of the government to have some role in the actions and power of other branches 1. Judges appointed only if President nominates and Senate approves 2. President can sign treaties that take effect if Congress approves 3. Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional, but President chooses judges and Senate must approve