1. U.S. National Government
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6

2. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Motivation
The role of each branch of our government is outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
The government has also had to adapt to changes over time.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

3. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Lesson overview
What is the function of the legislative branch?
When does Congress meet?
What are the two parts of Congress?
What are the roles of congressional leaders?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

4. Lesson overview (cont’d)
What is the function of congressional committees?
What types of bills does Congress consider?
How does a bill become a law?
What is the function of the executive branch?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

5. Lesson overview (cont’d)
What are the requirements for the presidency?
How is the president elected?
How is the vice president elected?
What are the rules for presidential succession?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

6. Lesson overview (cont’d)
What is the function of the judicial branch?
What is the basic structure of the federal court system?
What types of cases are heard in federal courts?
What is the function of U.S. district courts?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

7. Lesson overview (cont’d)
What is the function of U.S. courts of appeals?
How are federal judges selected?
Which other court officials work in each federal judicial district?
What is the function of the Supreme Court?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

8. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Quick Write
Make a list of things you know about our U.S. government, including Congress, the president, and the federal court system. As you read, see how many facts from your list you can find in this lesson.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

9. What is the function of the legislative branch?
Legislative branch has 535 members.
Primary role is to make new laws and address issues.
Elected representatives are known as members of Congress.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

10. When does Congress meet?
Each term of Congress
Starts on January 3 in odd-numbered years
Lasts for two years
Is divided into two sessions
Congress may also meet in special sessions.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

11. What are the two parts of Congress?
At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the delegates decided that Congress would be a bicameral body.
The two parts of Congress became the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

12. What are the two parts of Congress? (cont’d)
House of Representatives
Larger body of Congress
435 voting members, allotted to the states according to population
One representative for each district in a state
Two-year terms
Focusing on concerns in individual districts
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

13. What are the two parts of Congress? (cont’d)
Senate
100 members, 2 from each state
Each senator represents entire state
Terms of 6 years
No more than one-third of senators up for reelection at same time
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

14. What are the roles of Congressional leaders?
At beginning of each term, party members in each house choose leaders.
Speaker of the House
Is most powerful leader within the House of Representatives
Steers legislation
Takes charge of floor debates
Is in line of presidential succession
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

15. What are the roles of congressional leaders? (cont’d)
Senate has no leader with power comparable to that of the Speaker of the House.
The presiding officer, the vice president, rarely attends Senate debates and votes only in case of a tie.
The acting chairperson of the Senate is the president pro-tempore.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

16. What are the roles of congressional leaders? (cont’d)
Floor leaders
In the Senate: the real leaders
In the House: most powerful besides the Speaker
Speak for their parties on issues
Push bills along
Try to sway votes
Party “whips”
Help the floor leaders
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

17. What is the function of congressional committees?
Detailed work of lawmaking is done in committee.
Standing committees—permanent committees that continue their work from session to session
Select committees—committees created to do a special job for a limited period
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

18. What is the function of congressional committees? (cont’d)
Joint committees—committees that include members of both houses
Conference committees—temporary committees that help the House and Senate agree on the details of proposed laws
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

19. What is the function of congressional committees? (cont’d)
Leaders of political parties make committee assignments. They consider members’
Preferences
Expertise
Loyalty
Seniority
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

20. What is the function of congressional committees? (cont’d)
Longest-serving committee member from majority party usually becomes chairperson.
A chairperson of a standing committee decides
When and if a committee will meet
What bills will be studied
Who will serve on which subcommittees
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

21. What types of bills does Congress consider?
Private bills concern individual people or places.
Public bills apply to the entire nation and involve general matters.
Congress also considers resolutions.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

22. How does a bill become a law?
Every bill starts with an idea.
Sources include
Members of Congress
Private citizens
The White House
Special-interest groups
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

23. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)
Only senators and representatives can introduce bills.
Every bill is given a title and number.
The bill is sent to the appropriate standing committee.
The chairperson of the committee decides if the bill merits attention.
Standing committees have life-and-death power over bills.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

24. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)
Bills approved in committee are considered by the full House or Senate.
Bills are put on calendars in chronological order.
The Rules Committee controls the House schedule.
When bills reach the floor, members debate the pros and cons.
They may also discuss amendments.
The Senate allows riders to be tacked onto a bill.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

25. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)
In the House, the Rules Committee sets the terms for debate.
Senate has fewer rules.
No limit on time
No requirement to address topic
Can filibuster
Can end filibuster with cloture
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

26. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)
Members of Congress may vote on a law in several ways:
Voice vote
Standing vote
Computerized voting system
Roll-call vote (Senate)
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

27. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)
A simple majority of all members that are present is needed to pass a bill.
If a bill passes in one house, it is sent to the other.
If either house rejects a bill, it dies.
The Senate and House must pass a bill in identical form.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

28. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)
After both houses of Congress approve a bill, it goes to the president.
Four possibilities
President signs bill, and it becomes law.
President vetoes bill.
President does nothing for ten days.
Result depends on whether Congress is in session.
Congress can override a presidential veto.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

29. What is the function of the executive branch?
The president heads the executive branch.
The presidency is the top political job in the country.
The president is considered to hold the most important job in the world.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

30. What are the requirements for the presidency?
To become president, a person must be
At least 35 years old
A native-born American citizen
A resident of the United States for at least 14 years
Most U.S. presidents have shared certain characteristics.
Only in the past few decades has the presidency become a possibility for a broader group of Americans.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

31. How is the president elected?
Presidential elections take place every four years.
The Constitution did not provide for direct popular election of the president.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

32. How is the president elected? (cont’d)
To elect a president, the United States uses an indirect method called the Electoral College.
Each state appoints electors.
They will vote for one of the major candidates.
When people vote for a candidate, they are voting for the electors pledged to that candidate.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

33. How is the president elected? (cont’d)
Each state has as many electoral votes as the total of its U.S. senators and representatives.
The Electoral College includes 538 electors.
To be elected president or vice president, a candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes.
The formal election by the Electoral College takes place in December.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

34. How is the president elected? (cont’d)
Presidents serve four-year terms.
Originally, Constitution had no term limits.
The Twenty-second Amendment, ratified in 1951, now limits each president to two elected terms in office.
The president receives a salary and benefits.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

35. How is the vice president elected? (cont’d)
Vice president is elected with president through Electoral College.
Same qualifications as presidency
Constitution gives little authority to vice president
Becomes president if president dies, is removed from office, is seriously ill, resigns
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

36. What are the rules for presidential succession?
Original wording of Constitution for presidential succession unclear
1947: Presidential Succession Act
1967: Adoption of 25th Amendment to answer remaining questions
Amendment has been used only three times.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

37. What is the function of the judicial branch?
Federal courts make up the third branch of the U.S. government: the judicial branch.
Courts use the law to
Settle civil disputes
Decide on guilt or innocence of people accused of crimes
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

38. What is the function of the judicial branch? (cont’d)
In a civil dispute, two sides come before a court.
Two private parties
A private party and the government
The United States and a state or local government
Each side presents its position.
The court uses the law to make a decision in favor of one side or the other.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

39. What is the function of the judicial branch? (cont’d)
Courts also hold criminal trials.
Witnesses present evidence.
Jury or judge delivers verdict.
Our legal system is based on the ideal of equal justice under the law.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

40. What is the basic structure of the federal court system?
Founders created the federal court system in Article III of the Constitution.
Established a national Supreme Court
Gave Congress power to establish lower federal courts
Congress has created two kinds of lower courts.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

41. What is the basic structure of the federal court system? (cont’d)
Today, federal court system has three levels:
Supreme Court
Appeals courts
District courts
Federal court system exists alongside 50 separate state court systems.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

42. What types of cases are heard in federal courts?
Federal courts have jurisdiction over
Cases involving the Constitution
Violations of federal laws
Controversies between states
Disputes between parties from different states
Suits involving the federal government
Cases involving foreign governments and treaties
Cases based on admiralty and maritime laws
Cases involving U.S. diplomats
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

43. What types of cases are heard in federal courts? (cont’d)
For most of the areas just described, federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
State courts have jurisdiction over all other matters.
Most court cases involve state law.
Rarely, a case can be heard in either a state or federal court—concurrent jurisdiction.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

44. What is the function of U.S. district courts?
Most federal cases are handled in the 94 district courts.
All federal cases must begin in a district court. They have original jurisdiction.
District courts try both criminal and civil federal cases.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

45. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals?
Also known as federal appeals courts, circuit courts of appeals, or appellate courts
Review decisions of lower district courts
Circuit courts (12) each cover a specific area.
A thirteenth appeals court has nationwide jurisdiction to hear special cases.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

46. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals? (cont’d)
Appeals courts do not hold trials.
They may decide an appeal by
Upholding the original decision
Reversing the decision
Remanding the case
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

47. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals? (cont’d)
Appeals-court judges do not decide
Guilt or innocence of defendant in criminal case
Which side should win in a civil lawsuit
Appeals-court judges do decide
Whether defendant’s rights have been protected
Whether defendant received a fair trial
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

48. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals? (cont’d)
In most cases, the decision of the appeals court is final.
When an appeals court makes a decision, one judge writes an opinion for the court.
Detailed explanation of legal thinking behind decision
Sets a precedent within district
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

49. How are federal judges selected?
Federal judges are chief decision makers in judicial branch.
More than 550 judges preside over district courts.
Each appeals court has 6–27 judges.
Supreme Court has 9 justices.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

50. How are federal judges selected?
President appoints federal judges, with approval of Senate.
President usually follows senatorial courtesy.
Applies mainly to selection of judges for district courts and other trial courts
Federal judges may have their jobs for life, unless they are removed through impeachment.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

51. Which other court officials work in each federal judicial district?
Clerks, secretaries, court reporters, probation officers, and other workers help judges.
Each district court has magistrate judges.
Every federal district also has
U.S. attorney and one or more deputies
U.S. marshal
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

52. What is the function of the Supreme Court?
Supreme Court’s main job is to decide whether laws are Constitutional.
Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in
Cases that involve diplomats from foreign countries
Cases in which a state is involved
In all other instances, Supreme Court hears cases on appeal from lower district courts or federal regulatory agencies.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

53. What is the function of the Supreme Court? (cont’d)
The Supreme Court is not required to hear all cases presented to it.
The Supreme Court has final authority in cases involving
The U.S. Constitution
Acts of Congress
Treaties with other nations
The Supreme Court’s decisions are binding on lower courts.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

54. What is the function of the Supreme Court? (cont’d)
The Supreme Court is made up of eight justices led by one chief justice.
Justices’ main duty is to hear and rule on cases.
Chief justice has additional duties.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

55. What is the function of the Supreme Court? (cont’d)
President appoints Supreme Court justices, with consent of Senate.
When choosing nominees, president considers
Likelihood of candidate’s approval by Senate
Opinions of Justice Department officials
Opinions of American Bar Association, interest groups, other Supreme Court justices
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

56. What is the function of the Supreme Court? (cont’d)
Senators: President should have fairly free hand in appointing new justices.
But Senate has also rejected many presidential nominees because of
Doubts about qualifications
Legal philosophy of nominees
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

57. What is the function of the Supreme Court? (cont’d)
Supreme Court justices are always lawyers.
Political support and agreement with president’s ideas are important.
Thurgood Marshall
First African American justice
Sandra Day O’Connor
First female justice
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

58. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Lesson review
Function of the legislative branch
Make new laws
Address issues facing the country
Typical session of Congress lasts from January until November or December.
May also meet for a special session or a joint session
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

59. Lesson review (cont’d)
Two parts of Congress
House of Representatives
Senate
Larger body: 435 voting members
Members allotted to states according to population
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

60. Lesson review (cont’d)
Each state entitled to at least one seat
Each state divided into congressional districts
One representative elected from each district
Two-year terms
Focus on concerns in districts
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

61. Lesson review (cont’d)
Senate
100 members, 2 from each state
Each senator represents entire state
Terms of 6 years
Elections staggered
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

62. Lesson review (cont’d)
At beginning of each term of Congress, party members in both houses choose leaders to direct activities.
Speaker of the House is most powerful leader within House of Representatives.
Steers legislation
Oversees floor debates
Influences most House business
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

63. Lesson review (cont’d)
The presiding officer of the Senate is the vice president.
The person who acts as Senate chairperson is the president pro tempore.
The real leaders in the Senate and some of the most powerful players in the House are the floor leaders.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

64. Lesson review (cont’d)
Floor leaders
Speak for their parties on issues
Push bills along
Try to sway votes
Party “whips” help floor leaders.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

65. Lesson review (cont’d)
Congressional committees handle the detailed work of lawmaking.
Each house has standing committees as well as those set up for short-term purposes.
Leaders of the political parties make committee assignments.
Congress considers private bills, public bills, and different kinds of resolutions.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

66. Lesson review (cont’d)
Sources of ideas for bills include members of Congress, private citizens, the White House, and special-interest groups.
The first step in the process of a bill becoming a law is for a senator or representative to introduce the bill to Congress.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

67. Lesson review (cont’d)
The bill is then sent to the standing committee most qualified to handle it.
A bill approved in committee is ready for consideration by the full House or Senate.
It then goes to the floor of the House or Senate.
Members argue the bill’s pros and cons.
Members vote on the proposed law.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

68. Lesson review (cont’d)
After both houses of Congress approve a bill, it goes to the president.
The president may sign the bill or veto it.
The president may do nothing for ten days.
Congress in session—bill automatically approved.
Congress adjourned—bill dies (pocket veto).
Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote of each house.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

69. Lesson review (cont’d)
The president heads the executive branch of government.
The president has the top political job in the country.
A candidates for president must be
At least 35 years old
A native-born American citizen
A resident of the United States for at least 14 years
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

70. Lesson review (cont’d)
Presidential elections take place every four years.
Constitution set up an indirect method of election called the Electoral College.
The vice president is elected with the president through the Electoral College system.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

71. Lesson review (cont’d)
Original wording of Constitution was unclear on rules for presidential succession.
In 1947, Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act.
The Twenty-fifth Amendment, adopted in 1967, provided further clarification.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

72. Lesson review (cont’d)
Function of the judicial branch
Uses the law to settle civil disputes
Uses the law to decide the guilt or innocence of people accused of crimes
The federal court system has three levels.
Supreme Court
Appeals courts
District courts
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

73. Lesson review (cont’d)
Types of cases heard in federal courts
Cases involving the Constitution
Violations of federal laws
Controversies between states
Disputes between parties from different states
Suits involving the federal government
Cases involving foreign governments and treaties
Cases based on admiralty and maritime laws
Cases involving U.S. diplomats
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

74. Lesson review (cont’d)
U.S. district courts are the federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits are begun.
The only federal courts in which witnesses testify and juries hear cases and reach verdicts
U.S. courts of appeals review decisions made by lower courts. They may
Uphold the original decision
Reverse that decision
Remand the case
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

75. Lesson review (cont’d)
President appoints federal judges, with Senate approval.
When naming judges to district/trial courts, presidents follow senatorial courtesy.
Judges receive help from clerks, secretaries, court reporters, probation officers, and other workers.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

76. Lesson review (cont’d)
Each district court has magistrate judges who take care of routine work.
Every federal judicial district also has a U.S. attorney, one or more deputies, and a U.S. marshal.
The main job of the Supreme Court is to decide whether laws are allowable under the Constitution.
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

77. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Summary
What is the function of the legislative branch?
When does Congress meet?
What are the two parts of Congress?
What are the roles of congressional leaders?
What is the function of congressional committees?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

78. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Summary (cont’d)
What types of bills does Congress consider?
How does a bill become a law?
What is the function of the executive branch?
What are the requirements for the presidency?
How is the president elected?
How is the vice president elected?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

79. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Summary (cont’d)
What are the rules for presidential succession?
What is the function of the judicial branch?
What is the basic structure of the federal court system?
What types of cases are heard in federal courts?
What is the function of U.S. district courts?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

80. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Summary (cont’d)
What is the function of U.S. courts of appeals?
How are federal judges selected?
Which other court officials work in each federal judicial district?
What is the function of the Supreme Court?
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

81. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government
Next
Done— U.S. national government
Next— Comparing systems of government
Foundations of United States Citizenship
Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government