1. Content Specialist, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship
Highlights: The Structure and Function of Government in the Constitution
SS.7.C.3.3
Illustrate the structure and function of government in the United States as established in the Constitution.
Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D.
Content Specialist, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship

2. Article I-The Structure of the Legislative Branch
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Article I-The Structure of the Legislative Branch

3. Legislative Branch Structure
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Legislative Branch Structure
The legislative branch includes the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution outlines the structure, roles and responsibilities of Congress.
Key Article I themes include:
A two-house legislature (the House of Representatives and Senate)
Specific powers delegated to Congress

4. The Powers of Congress Congress makes laws for the entire nation.
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The Powers of Congress
Congress makes laws for the entire nation.
Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, declare war, coin money, regulate immigration, naturalization and trade, and to raise and support the armed forces.
Article I also gives Congress the power to impeach and remove high level public officials where the House impeaches and the Senate holds trials.

5. Article II-The Executive Branch
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Article II-The Executive Branch

6. The Powers of the President
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The Powers of the President
Power
Description
Chief Executive
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Commander in Chief
“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States”
Chief Diplomat
“He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;”

7. The Powers of the President
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The Powers of the President
Power
Description
Power to Nominate
“…he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States”
Power to Pardon
“…he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment”

8. Article III-The Judiciary Branch
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Article III-The Judiciary Branch

9. The Structure of the Judiciary Branch
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The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may …establish. 
The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour…

10. Judicial Powers Original Jurisdiction applies to cases affecting:
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Judicial Powers
Original Jurisdiction applies to cases affecting:
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls
Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction
Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party
Controversies between two or more States and other conflicts
“In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction”