American Government Rob Lugiai ETE 100 Sec 2 11/23/09

Three Branches Legislative Legislative Representatives voted to pass laws Representatives voted to pass laws Executive Executive Led by President to lead Nation Led by President to lead Nation Judicial Judicial Judges to determine legality of laws Judges to determine legality of laws

History of Branches Designed by Continental Congress is 1789 Designed by Continental Congress is 1789 Parameters set by Constitution Parameters set by Constitution Two separate sections of Government Two separate sections of Government Federal Government with specific roles Federal Government with specific roles State or Local Government has all responsibilities not given to Federal State or Local Government has all responsibilities not given to Federal

Legislative Branch Facts Made up of two Houses (Bicameral) Made up of two Houses (Bicameral) Senate Senate Made up of 100 Senators Made up of 100 Senators Each State gets 2 Senators Each State gets 2 Senators Elected every 6 years Elected every 6 years Picture of Senate Chamber Picture of Senate Chamber Picture of Senate Chamber Picture of Senate Chamber House of Representatives House of Representatives Made up of 435 Representatives Made up of 435 Representatives Number of Representatives a State receives is based on that State’s Population Number of Representatives a State receives is based on that State’s Population Elected every 2 years Elected every 2 years

Legislative Branch Duties Hear concerns from American people Hear concerns from American people Most approachable Branch Most approachable Branch Hear impeachment trials Hear impeachment trials Write and vote on Bills Write and vote on Bills Healthcare bill Healthcare bill Healthcare bill Healthcare bill

Executive Branch Facts Led by President of the United States Led by President of the United States Barack Obama Barack Obama 44 Presidents 44 Presidents Place of Federal Departments Place of Federal Departments State Department, Treasury etc. State Department, Treasury etc. White House White House Presidents residence and heart of Executive Branch Presidents residence and heart of Executive Branch

Executive Branch Duties Head of United States military Head of United States military Commander in Chief Commander in Chief Sign or Veto Laws Sign or Veto Laws Pardon criminals Pardon criminals Head dignitary Head dignitary Deals with foreign nations Deals with foreign nations

Judicial Branch Facts Made up of Courts Made up of Courts Several level of Courts Several level of Courts Lower Courts Lower Courts Deal with trials and decide guilt Deal with trials and decide guilt Appellate Courts Appellate Courts Deals with appeals made after Lower Courts rule Deals with appeals made after Lower Courts rule Supreme Court Supreme Court Deals with legality of laws Deals with legality of laws Nine justices Nine justices

Judicial Branch Duties Supreme Court can decide on “constitutionality” of laws Supreme Court can decide on “constitutionality” of laws Strike down or change laws Strike down or change laws Lifetime appointment Lifetime appointment Takes politics of re-election out of Judicial Branch Takes politics of re-election out of Judicial Branch

Checks and Balances Founders of America wanted there to be checks and balances on each branch Founders of America wanted there to be checks and balances on each branch Legislative check Legislative check President can veto any bill President can veto any bill Supreme court can issue any law unconstitutional Supreme court can issue any law unconstitutional Executive Check Legislative can impeachment any President Legislative can also overrule a veto with a 2/3 vote Judicial Check Legislative must vote on any Judge Legislative can impeach any Judge

Overview of system United States Federal Government LegislatureExecutiveJudicial

Works Cited United States. Cong. House. H.R To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Comp. Dingell, John A. Lib. Of Congress. 11/21/09 web_us&p=To+provide+affordable%2C+quality+health+care+for+all+Americans+a nd+reduce+the+growth+in+health+care+spending%2C+and+for+other+purpose United States. Cong. House. H.R To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Comp. Dingell, John A. Lib. Of Congress. 11/21/09 web_us&p=To+provide+affordable%2C+quality+health+care+for+all+Americans+a nd+reduce+the+growth+in+health+care+spending%2C+and+for+other+purpose web_us&p=To+provide+affordable%2C+quality+health+care+for+all+Americans+a nd+reduce+the+growth+in+health+care+spending%2C+and+for+other+purpose web_us&p=To+provide+affordable%2C+quality+health+care+for+all+Americans+a nd+reduce+the+growth+in+health+care+spending%2C+and+for+other+purpose French, Herbert A. Senate Chamber. Between 1918 and National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress). 11/21/09 French, Herbert A. Senate Chamber. Between 1918 and National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress). 11/21/09