1. 3 Branches of Government Notes

2. Federalism – the division of power between the states and the national government

3. Checks and Balances – gives each branch of government ways to limit the power of the other two

4. Executive Branch
President of the United States, Vice President, and Cabinet members
Enforces federal laws
Commands the U.S Armed Forces
Makes treaties
Appoints judges, ambassadors, and high level officials
The President and VP are elected to 4 year terms

8. The President Can:
Check (stop) the power of Congress by vetoing bills(new laws.) However, Congress can override the veto if it has enough votes in both chambers (House and Senate.)
Check the power of the Supreme Court by nominates its Justices. The Senate must approve (confirm) the President’s choices.
Pardon (excuse) people who have committed federal crimes.

9. Legislative Branch (Congress)
Makes laws for the country
435 Members of the House of Representatives (more people in a state = more Representatives)
100 Senators (2 for every state)
House elects the Speaker of the House
Senate is presided over (run by) the VP (but he doesn’t vote unless there is a tie)
Representatives are elected to 2 year terms
Senators are elected to 6 year terms

11. Congress Can:
Check the power of the executive branch by deciding how much money to spend on different things
Override the power of the presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers
Senate must approve treaties and presidential appointments
House can impeach(accuse of a crime) U.S. officials including the President and Justices
Senate holds the trial for officials who have been impeached

13. Judicial Branch 9 Justices (judges) led by the Chief Justice
Hear and decide cases appealed from state or federal courts under the Constitution, U.S. Laws, or treaties
Settle disputes between states

14. Supreme Court Can:
Check Congress by ruling that a law is unconstitutional
Check the power of the executive branch by ruling that or more of its actions is unconstitutional

15. Questions
Which branch of government can appoint judges, ambassadors, and other officials?
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
How can the Supreme Court check actions by Congress?
Who has the power to impeach a government official?
Which branch of the federal government commands the U.S. Armed Forces?
Which branch of government can try a dispute between states?
Which group has the power to try an official who has been impeached?
Which branch makes the country’s laws?
Which group has the power to approve treaties?
Would you rather be President, a Senator, a Representative, or a Supreme Court Justice? Why?

16. 17. Interprets Constitution 18. Chief Justice
Supreme Court
Write Laws
Directs National Defense
Senate
President
Oval Office
Federal Courts
Congress
Veto Power
9 Justices
U.S. Capitol Building
Passes Laws
Can Impeach Officials
Reviews laws
Commander in Chief
16. Meets in 2 Chambers
17. Interprets Constitution
18. Chief Justice
19. Decide cases involving
States’ rights
20. House of Representatives
21. Barack Obama
22. White House
23. 2 Senators from each state
24. Appoints Cabinet Officials
25. Vice President
26. Representatives based on
Population of each state
27. Figurehead of National
Government
28. Enforces Laws

17. Executive
Legislative
Judicial
Directs National Defense
Write and Pass Laws
Supreme Court
President
Senate (2 from each state)
Federal Courts
Oval Office (White House)
Congress
9 Justices
Veto Power
U.S. Capitol Building
Review Laws (strike down)
Commander-in-Chief
Can Impeach Officials
Interprets Constitution
Barack Obama/Trump
Meets in 2 Chambers
Chief Justice
Vice President
House of Representatives – Based on population
Decide cases on states’ rights
Figurehead of the National Government
Appoints Cabinet Officials
Enforces Laws
Declare War