1. This week we will learn about the three branches of the US Government.
Click
Below
For an
intro

2. The Legislative Branch
The Basics…
Article I of the Constitution allows them to Create Laws
Includes a bicameral Congress
Senate
House of Representatives

3. The Legislative Branch
The Senate…
Upper House of Congress
100 senators total (2 per state)
Must be
at least 30 years old
U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
resident of the state they represent
6 year terms - 1/3 is up for election every 2 years
Leaders
Vice President (tie breaker)
Majority Leader
Minority Leader

4. The Legislative Branch
The House of Representatives…
Lower House of Congress
435 Congressman total (# based on population in state/changed after each census –around every 10 years)
2 year terms
Must be
at least 25 years old
U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
resident of the state they represent
Leader
Speaker of the House

5. The Congress

6. The Legislative Branch
Powers include…
Charge and collect taxes
Raise and maintain military
Grant statehood
Control national lands
Regulate interstate trade
Naturalize citizens
Declare war
Control making currency
Control the budget
Borrow $$
Veto override 2/3 majority of both houses
Be present for the State of the Union Address
Interesting Facts:
Only 5 declared wars in the history of the US
The military has acted without congressional involvement over 125 times.
Authority over the military is a primary responsibility of the executive branch.

7. The Legislative Branch
Don’t forget…their main job is to make laws!
Press Here

8. The Legislative Branch
The Perks…
Salary of $174,000+ per year (Leadership roles earn more…SoH = $223,500 per year)
Generous retirement and benefits (health care)
Two offices – D.C. and Home District
Staff members at both offices
Franking privileges – work-related mail is FREE
Assorted perks; no petty misdemeanors

9. The Executive Branch The Basics…
Article II of the Constitution allows them to Enforce Laws
Includes the President, Vice President, and the President’s Cabinet
22nd Amendment limits the president to two terms or ten years.

11. The Executive Branch Powers… *Chief of State – ceremonial head
*Chief Executive – enforce laws/appointments
*Chief Administrator – employs people/spends $

12. The Executive Branch More Powers…
*Chief Diplomat – head of foreign policy and treaties
*Commander in Chief – over the military
*Chief Legislator–works with congress/veto power

13. The Executive Branch Even More Powers…
*Head of Political Party – face of the party
*Chief Citizen – represents the people of the USA

14. The Executive Branch The Perks… $400,000 annual salary
$50,000 annual allowance
lives in the White House
works in the Oval Office
Air Force One
other benefits

15. The White House
Air Force One

17. The Executive Branch The President’s Staff…
“inner circle” includes Chief of Staff, Personal Doctor, and Press Secretary
The Cabinet includes 15 department heads (Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of Education, etc.)

20. The Judicial Branch The Basics…
Article III of the Constitution allows them to review justices & interpret laws
9 Justices
nominated by Executive Branch
Confirmed by Legislative Branch
serve “life” terms on the Supreme Court

21. The Supreme Court

22. The Judicial Branch Firsts…
Thurgood Marshall (1967) – 1st African American Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O’Connor (1981) – 1st woman Supreme Court Justice
Sonia Sotomayor (2009) – 1st Hispanic Supreme Court Justice

23. The Judicial Branch Landmark Cases…
Marbury v. Madison (1803) – the SC can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
Scott v. Sanford (1857) – slaves are property not people
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) – “separate but equal”
Brown v. School Board of Education (1954) – ends segregation in schools
Roe v. Wade (1973) – abortion
US v. Windsor (2013) – provide benefits to same sex marriages
Ogerfell v. Hodges (2015) – same sex marriage legal in all 50 states

24. The Judicial Branch Perks… Current salary
Chief Justice is $223,500 per year
Associate Justices each make $213,900.