Marine Command & Staff College Course American Government John Daly USMC Office of Legislative Affairs

Overview of US Government Established by the U.S. Constitution (ratified in 1788) Established by the U.S. Constitution (ratified in 1788) A federal republic of 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and insular territories to include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Saipan and Guam. A federal republic of 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and insular territories to include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Saipan and Guam.

Overview of Federal System The Federal and state governments consist of executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Federal and state governments consist of executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Both Federal and state systems are usually based on a combination of English common law and more recent statutory law. Both Federal and state systems are usually based on a combination of English common law and more recent statutory law.

Legislature Article I of the Constitution establishes the Congress. Article I of the Constitution establishes the Congress. Two chambers, a Senate and a House of Representatives. Two chambers, a Senate and a House of Representatives. Senate terms are six years, House terms are two years with no term limits for either House Senate terms are six years, House terms are two years with no term limits for either House Congress operates based on committees within the Congress. Congress operates based on committees within the Congress. There are 19 “standing committees” in the House and 17 in the Senate There are 19 “standing committees” in the House and 17 in the Senate At any one time, 150 subcommittees. At any one time, 150 subcommittees. Congressional controls the purse strings!! Congressional controls the purse strings!!

Committees in Congress 4 key Committees of interest to the Department of Defense: 4 key Committees of interest to the Department of Defense: House and Senate Armed Services Committees House and Senate Armed Services Committees These are “Authorizing” Committees. Responsibilities include the following: These are “Authorizing” Committees. Responsibilities include the following: Mandating service end-strength Mandating service end-strength Creating new programs Creating new programs Authorizing construction projects to begin Authorizing construction projects to begin Senate confirms officers Senate confirms officers OVERSIGHT OVERSIGHT House and Senate Appropriations Committees House and Senate Appropriations Committees Subcommittees deal specifically with Defense and Military Constructions (infrastructure) Subcommittees deal specifically with Defense and Military Constructions (infrastructure) These Committees put money against the “authorizations” of the Armed Services Committees These Committees put money against the “authorizations” of the Armed Services Committees

Executive Article II of the Constitution establishes the Executive branch of Government. Article II of the Constitution establishes the Executive branch of Government. The President is the Head of state and commander-in- chief of the military. The President is the Head of state and commander-in- chief of the military. Executive agencies include 4 million civil servants and including 1 million active-duty military personnel. Executive agencies include 4 million civil servants and including 1 million active-duty military personnel. President has broad powers to manage national affairs and the workings of the Federal government. President has broad powers to manage national affairs and the workings of the Federal government.

Executive Continued The Department of Defense (DoD) is one of 15 Cabinet agencies. The Department of Defense (DoD) is one of 15 Cabinet agencies. The Secretary of Defense is 6 th in order of Presidential succession. The Secretary of Defense is 6 th in order of Presidential succession. The Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force are sub- level agencies within DoD. The Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force are sub- level agencies within DoD. The Marine Corps, as a naval service, is part of the Department of the Navy along with the United States Navy. The Marine Corps, as a naval service, is part of the Department of the Navy along with the United States Navy. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security in peace-time. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security in peace-time.

Judiciary Supreme Court is the highest court. Court of final appeal in all cases. Supreme Court is the highest court. Court of final appeal in all cases. Congress is authorized to create lower courts. Congress is authorized to create lower courts. The first Congress created 13 Federal courts of appeals, 94 district courts below the courts of appeal The first Congress created 13 Federal courts of appeals, 94 district courts below the courts of appeal Also created Bankruptcy and Tax courts. Also created Bankruptcy and Tax courts. Per the constitution, Congress could abolish any court, but never the Supreme Court Per the constitution, Congress could abolish any court, but never the Supreme Court

Congress and the Marine Corps Constitution mandates that Congress “raise and support armies” and “provide and maintain a Navy.” Constitution mandates that Congress “raise and support armies” and “provide and maintain a Navy.” The Marine Corps is the only service who’s mission is outlined in the law (to be the “Nation’s Force in Readiness”) The Marine Corps is the only service who’s mission is outlined in the law (to be the “Nation’s Force in Readiness”) The Marine Corps is the only service who’s composition (3 divisions and 3 air wings) is outlined the law The Marine Corps is the only service who’s composition (3 divisions and 3 air wings) is outlined the law Congress has sustained the Marine Corps for over two centuries. Congress has sustained the Marine Corps for over two centuries.

Jan FebAprMar Jun JulMay Sep Aug (Recess) Oct Hearings Office Calls / Hearing Prep Dec Nov Issue Specific Respond to Marks Conference Items GO Nominations CMC Transition Ceremonial Events Cake Cutting Holiday Parties USMC testifies at approximately 40 hearings annually before 8 committees. FebAprMarJunMay DoD Posture SASC HASC Guard & Reserve Recruiting and Retention MWR MILCON Readiness Quality of Life Personnel Aviation Pres Budget Submission 1 Feb (FY11 & FY10 OCO Req) NDAA Sub-Committee Mark-Up NDAA Full-Committee Mark-Up NDAA Floor Vote NDAA Conference and Final Vote Approps Sub- Committee Mark-Up Approps Conference and Final Vote Approps Floor Vote Approps Full- Committee Mark-Up Shaping Sustaining P&R Budget Rollout Briefs Program Briefs DoN Posture HASC SASC SAC-D HAC-D Legislative Calendar

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The 50 state governments Powers not expressly given to the Federal government are reserved to the people or the state governments Powers not expressly given to the Federal government are reserved to the people or the state governments No internal tariffs between states No internal tariffs between states Must respect other state laws and court judgments Must respect other state laws and court judgments States must use US currency, but can levy their own taxes States must use US currency, but can levy their own taxes The tasks of education, health, transportation, and other infrastructure are generally the responsibility of the states The tasks of education, health, transportation, and other infrastructure are generally the responsibility of the states

The 50 state governments The main Constitutional requirement is that the Federal government guarantee that a State provide a republican form of state government. Art. IV (no monarchy nor military dictator in a state government) The main Constitutional requirement is that the Federal government guarantee that a State provide a republican form of state government. Art. IV (no monarchy nor military dictator in a state government) Each state has developed a governor, legislature and judiciary Each state has developed a governor, legislature and judiciary Terms and titles of elected officials differ from state to state Terms and titles of elected officials differ from state to state

city governments Individual cities or towns normally managed by a Mayor (Executive) and a City Council (legislature) in addition to other managing bodies such as school boards. Individual cities or towns normally managed by a Mayor (Executive) and a City Council (legislature) in addition to other managing bodies such as school boards. These are generally responsive to their State government, not the Federal government These are generally responsive to their State government, not the Federal government

Non-Government Organizations Trade and Labor Union Associations at national or local level Trade and Labor Union Associations at national or local level Political Parties at national or local level Political Parties at national or local level Single interest or issue associations Single interest or issue associations

The 50 States