THE BRANCHES OF U.S. GOVERNMENT By: Jennifer A. Siefring ED

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH  Body of government that makes the laws

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: n House of Representatives n Senate

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES n The number of representatives per state is based on population n Each representative has a term of 2 years n Representatives are voted directly by the people

QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME A REPRESENTATIVE 1. The elected member must be at least 25 years in age 2. The elected member must be a 7 year citizen of the U.S. 3. The elected member must be a resident of the state to which he is being elected to represent

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE n Denny Hastert

OHIO’S 19 REPRESENTATIVES * John Boehner * Sherrod Brown * Steve Chabot * Paul Gillmor * Tony Hall * David Hobson * Stephanie Tubbs Jones * Marry Kaptur * James Traficant Jr. * Dennis Kucinich * Steven C. LaTourette * Robert Ney * Mike Oxley * Rob Portman * Deborah Pryce * Ralph Regula * Tom Sawyer * Ted Strickland * Pat Tiberti

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES n Any bills dealing with raising revenue MUST originate in the House of Representatives

UNITED STATES SENATE n Number of senators is the same for each state (each state elects 2 senators) n The senators are directly elected by the voters n Each senator serves for a term of 6 years

QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME A SENATOR n The elected senator must by 30 years of age n The elected senator must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years n The elected senator must be a resident of the state to which he is being elected to represent

FAMILIAR FACES IN THE SENATE n Vice President Dick Cheney – President of the Senate – Does not vote unless there is a tie n President Pro Temp Strom Thurmond – Senior Member of the majority party – Presides over senate when VP can’t make it

OHIO’S 2 SENATORS n Mike DeWine n George Voinovich

U.S. SENATE n They have the exclusive right to advise and consent any matters regarding treaties and/or nominations. n They are the only group that can try impeachments.

RESPONSIBILITES OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH  Declare war  Maintain armed forces  Assess taxes  Borrow money  Minting currency  Regulate commerce

EXECUTIVE BRANCH n Body of government that enforces the laws

EXECUTIVE OFFICE: PRESIDENT n President of the United States, George W. Bush

EXECUTIVE BRANCH n Presidential Term: 4 Years n Elected by Electoral College n Electoral College- Group of representatives from each of the 50 states appointed to elect the president n The # of electors from each state = the # of state senators + the # of state representatives

QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME PRESIDENT n Natural born citizen n The candidate to be elected must be at least 35 years of age. n The candidate to be elected must be a 14- year resident of the United States

PRESIDENTIAL POWERS n Commander-in- chief of the army n Aid in developing treaties n Nominate/appoint government officials (Cabinet)

OHIO’S PRESIDENTS William Harrison Ulysses Grant Rutherford Hayes James Garfield Benjamin Harrison William McKinley William Taft Warren Harding

JUDICIAL BRANCH n The body of government that interprets the laws.

UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT n Consists of 9 justices who are appointed by the president and approved by a majority of the Senate n Term: life or until removed from office

CURRENT JUSTICES n Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy, Sandra Day O’Connor, William Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, David Souter, John Paul Stevens, Clarence Thomas

CHIEF JUSTICE n William Rehnquist

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH  Interpret the laws of our country  Interpret the constitution  Decide if a law is or is not constitutional  Their decisions affect law enforcement and future lawmaking procedures

CHECKS & BALANCES AMONG THE 3 BRANCHES n To make sure each branch is doing its job-, our government uses a check & balance