Branches of the Government

3 branches of government The United States has three branches of government: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. Each of these branches has a distinct and essential role in the function of the government

Executive Branch Cabinet – group of advisers to the president Chief Executive – the person who holds the office of head of state of the United States government Pardon – the power to forgive someone who has committed a crime Reprieve - Cancel or postpone the punishment Impeach - to accuse an official of a crime while in office

President Qualifications You have to be 35 years old to run for President. You must be born in the United States. You must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

President Term of office – 4 years  No one may be elected President more than twice. Salary – $400,000

What if the President dies… Vice President of the United States Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State

What does he do? Main Job: enforcing the laws of the land Duties  Commander-in-Chief  Negotiate treaties  Appoint ambassadors  Prepare national budget  Veto/sign bills  State of the Union  Grand pardons  Suggest laws

Cabinet The Department of Agriculture The Department of Commerce The Department of Defense The Department of Education The Department of Energy Health and Human Services The Department of Homeland Security Housing and Urban Development. Housing and Urban Development Interior Justice The Department of Labor State The Department of Transportation Treasury Veterans Affairs

Welcome future Voters Make sure you name is on your packet and pass it forward. Get out paper for notes and something to write with.

Legislative Branch - Congress Senate – Small states favor -Every state gets two representatives House of Representatives – Large states favor -The number of representatives are based on the states population

Become a Senator at least 30 years old. a U.S. citizen for at least nine years at the time of election to the Senate. a resident of the state one is elected to represent in the Senate.

House of Representatives must be at least 25 years of age must have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years must be an inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected.

Congress Facts Congress makes and spends taxes Senators serve 6 year terms House Reps serve 2 year terms

Vocab to know Elastic clause –grants Congress the power to pass any law necessary for the carrying out of the previously listed powers. Legislative Branch – congress: makes the laws, controls the money, and has the power to declare war. Bill – A draft or idea for a law Ex post facto law – "after the fact" laws passed to stop a behavior that was once legal.

Vocab continued Veto – reject Quorum –number of members who must be present to legally conduct business Amend – change or add Pigeonhole – to postpone action on a bill Conference committee – Senators and Representatives trying to reach a compromise

How does a bill become a law?

Congress helps make Laws Bill is introduced to the House Bill goes to committee – researched Bill is debated The House votes on the bill Sent to the Senate (repeat steps 1-4) Sent to the President to be signed  If vetoed Bill returns to congress and must be passed again.

Powers of congress Declare war Regulate trade between states Print and coin money Make laws for the US Approve treaties

TOMORROW Homework: Using your notes fill out the Legislative Packet Final branch of the government Checks and balances

Welcome! Please pass your packets to the windows then up to Natalia. I am passing out your note sheet for today you need to get out a pencil or pen to write with.

Judicial Branch “Characters” Witness –  presents any info concerning the case Defendant –  defends against charges Jury –  Hears evidence in the case and determines guilty or innocent Prosecutor –  tries to prove guilty Judge –  Maintains order and makes sure rules are followed

Vocabulary Appellate Jurisdiction – Authority to hear and decide a case from a lower court Original Jurisdiction – Authority to hear and decide a case for the first time Impeach – Accusing government of crime in office Judicial Review – examine a law and decide if it is constitutional Due Process of Law – Legal procedures which every citizen is entitled to

Judicial Branch Main job: enforce laws

Federal courts – don’t have to hear every case Jurisdiction –  if a law is constitutional  cases involving treaties  ambassadors and public ministers  problems between two or more states  Violation of federal law lowest to highest:  1. District Courts original jurisdiction  2. Courts or Appeal (In the middle) original  3. Supreme Court original & appellate

Judges Term: for LIFE Appointed by the President The Constitution sets no requirements.

Check and Balances Congress  Judicial  Impeach/remove federal judges  Establish courts & set number of judges Congress  Judicial  Declare laws unconditional President  Judicial  Appoints federal judges  Grant pardons, reprieves  Can commute sentences

Civil VS Criminal Civil – breach of contract,  Divorce, damages, loss/injury of something Criminal - committing a crime against the government  Murder, assault, bribery, kidnapping, shoplifting Federal – national level State – specific to the state

Checks and Balances Important to the Constitution  Limits the power of the other branches Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them.

Lets talk Homework This weekend… You each will get one amendment (addition/chance to the Constitution) You need to make a poster for that amendment  Number  Picture – how do you visualize it?  What does it mean?