1. Homeroom Reminders 1/25-2/12: Chocolate Fundraiser
PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME FRIDAY
2/12: Extra Credit Due State of the Union
2/19: No School Presidents Day

2. Do Now Copy and answer on your Do Now:
What article creates the Legislative Branch? What is its main job?

3. Articles I-III: The Three Branches of Government
Unit 4: Lesson 3
Essential Question: What is the structure and function of the United States Government?

4. Article I: The Legislative Branch
Key Players: Congress
The Senate and the House of Representatives
Job: Write and pass bills (Make LAWS)
Cares about: Constituents (The people who vote for them)
Make laws based upon public opinion and the public agenda!

5. The Senate
The House of Representatives
Qualifications
At least 30 years old
US Citizen for at least 9 Years
Live in the State You Represent
At least 25 years old
US Citizen for at least 7 Years
Size
2 Senators Per State= 100 Members Total
Number Per State Depends on Population = 435 Total Members
Length of Term and Representation
6 Years- Represents all citizens of their home state
2 Years- Represents citizens from their district of their home state
Special Duties
Acts as a court during impeachments
A bill that raises money (taxes) must start in the House
Role in Law Making
A bill must be approved by BOTH HOUSES before it can go to the President to become a LAW!
--

6. Other Important Powers of Congress
Collect Taxes
Borrow money and pay debts
Make rules for how to become a citizen
Regulate trade
Coin money
Establish Post Offices
Create the lower federal courts (under the Supreme Court)
Declare War
Punish Pirates

7. Article II: The Executive Branch
Key Players: The President
Vice President, Cabinet
Job: Most important: ENFORCE LAWS
Set important issues for Congress to work on
Sign bills into law or veto them
Cares about: All Americans!
Every American Votes for President
Electoral College Elects President Based on Popular Vote

8. Presidential Powers Commander-in-chief of the armed forces (military)
Maintain a Cabinet of 15 advisors who run executive departments like the State Department (deals with foreign affairs)
Grant pardons in all federal criminal offenses
Negotiate treaties with other countries
Appoint ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices and federal court judges, and Cabinet members
Represent the US when dealing with foreign countries

9. Presidential Qualifications and Terms
35+ years old
Native-Born American Citizen
Lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years
Presidents serve 4 year terms
There were no term limits until 1951
22nd Amendment- President can only serve two-elected terms in office
Amendment was added because President Franklin D. Roosevelt won office 3 times
People worried about the President having too much power

10. Article III: The Judicial Branch
Key Players: The Supreme Court
Job: Interprets the law, makes sure people are playing by the rules
JUDICIAL REVIEW!
Decide whether laws are allowed by the U.S. Constitution
Cares about: The Constitution (the rulebook for government)

11. The Supreme Court Supreme Court is made up of 9 justices
The number of justices is set by Congress
They can change this number
No qualifications given to serve on the Supreme Court
Hold their jobs for life
Not elected by the people
Do not represent a political party
Remain neutral
Protects them from public opinion when ruling on cases

12. Limits on Powers- System of Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers
Ideas of Baron de Montesquieu
Government divided into 3 branches
Power is split equally between the three branches of government
Each branch has a “CHECK” power over the other two branches so no branch can abuse their power