Ch. 3.2 & Ch. 3.3

 THEY MAKE THE LAWS  Expressed powers – powers directly stated in the Constitution  WHERE? Article 1, Section 8  WHY? Because we didn’t want them too powerful  Elastic clause – enumerated power #18 stating Congress has the right to make all laws “necessary and proper”  So basically they can “stretch” their powers to do as they please

 THEY ENFORCE THE LAWS  Most powers are vague, but some are specific  Article II, section 2-3 gives President specific powers:  Commander in Chief  Appoints Cabinet members (with approval of Senate)  Allowed to pardon people  Allowed to make treaties  Appoints ambassadors  Gives State of the Union  Can call Congress into special session  Foreign affairs (meeting with heads of state)  Commissions military officers  Makes sure all Congress laws are “faithfully executed”

 THEY INTERPRET THE LAWS  The United States’ two-court system is divided by federal courts and state courts  Federal courts have jurisdiction over:  United States law  Treaties with foreign nations  Interpretation of the Constitution

 STEP ONE: proposing an amendment  HOW?  2/3 vote in each house of Congress ~OR~  A national convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of the states (through a petition)  NOTE: we’ve only used the first choice

 STEP TWO: ratifying (approving) an amendment  HOW?  3/4 of the 50 state legislatures approve it ~OR~  3/4 of special ratifying conventions that each state creates approve it  NOTE: we’ve only used the second method once (21 st amendment)

 HOW, CONGRESSIONALLY?  Through laws passed by Congress  By how the laws are practice  HOW, EXECUITIVELY?  President uses executive agreements, an agreement made between the President and the head of state, rather than through formal treaties, agreements between nations  HOW, JUDICIALLY?  The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution and can make new precedents accordingly (judicial activism)