1. The Constitution: A More Perfect Union
Chapter 9
Pgs

2. Preamble Explains the reason for the new government Goals:
Make the country better
Make laws that are for everyone
Insure people peace and order
Protect people from other countries
Have an economy where people can prosper
Enjoy freedom for ourselves and the future generations

3. Legislative Branch
House of Representatives (# based on population of state)
2 year terms
435 members
25 years old or older
Citizen for at least 7 years

4. Legislative Branch Senate (2 from each state) 6 year terms 100 members
30 years old or older
Citizen for at least 9 years

5. New Laws
To make a new law any member of the House or Senate needs to submit a bill
Only the House can propose new taxes

6. How a Bill Becomes Law Starts with the House and Senate
Both introduces a bill and sends it to a committee
Committee approves or disapproves the bill
Both debate and pass its form of the bill – floor approves or not
Both compromise on differences between the two versions
President signs bill into law – if reject can veto the bill

7. Executive Branch Carries out the law
To become president must have the most electoral votes
4 year term
Promises to defend the Constitution – Oath of Office

8. Powers of the President
Head of military
Make agreements with other countries
Nominates Ambassadors and Supreme Court Justices
Grant pardons for crimes

9. Impeachment Remove the President from office for: Bribery High crimes
Misdemeanors

10. Questions What were the goals of the Preamble?
What are the criteria for House of Reps and the Senate?
How does a bill become law?
What are the powers of the President?
What can cause the President to be impeached?

11. Judicial Branch System of courts and judges Level of the Courts –
Supreme Court
Appellate Courts
District Courts

12. Supreme Court 9 members Serve their entire lives
Do about 100 cases per year

13. Checks and Balances Limits the power of the 3 branches
Checks – blocks the actions of another branch
Balance – gives each branch equal power

14. Amendment
Change to the Constitution

15. National Government Power
Print coin and paper money
Controls relations with foreign neighbors
Federalism – divides power between the national and state governments

16. Questions
What are the names of the courts from the highest to lowest levels?
How does the system of checks and balances work?
What are amendments?
How many Supreme Court Justices are their and how long can they serve?
What is Federalism?