Three Branches Intro

The Three Branches

By Mary Corrigan

Legislative Branch - make laws

Congress represents the interests of the citizens

Powers coin money, naturalization laws, declare war/create military, create postal service

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How a Bill becomes a Law:

Idea -Proposal-Introduction-Committee-Floor Debate-Chamber vote-Hand off-President​

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President can sign or veto; Congress can override with 2/3 majority

Pocket veto occurs when Congress is on recess and President ignores bill​

The Legislative Branch holds many powers together as one and separately within each chamber as a way to check itself

435 members, 2 year terms

25 years old, citizen 7 years​, resident of district represented

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Impeachment hearing, all bills involving money start here​

House of Representatives

100 members; 6 year terms

30 years old, citizen 9 years, resident of state represented

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Impeachment trial, ratify treaties, approve presidential appointments​

Senate

Legislative Branch - make laws

The House and Senate together are called Congress

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is false

• Representative Johnson was eager to hear the impeachment case against the Supreme Court Justice

• Senator Philange was torn about the new nominee for ambassador and considered voting against them

• Representative Smithy was eager to hear what the committee said about the raccoon preservation proposal

• Senator Zenith was worried about the new tax law being introduced to chamber today

Executive Branch - carries out Laws

President

4 year term, 2 terms max​

35 years old, natural-born citizen, resident 14 years

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Hats: Chief Executive, Commander-in-Chief, Head of State, Head of Political Party, Director of Foreign Policy, Economic Guardian, Legislative Leader​

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The President may issue Executive Orders to carry out laws without approval from Congress but they can be declared unconsttitutional by the Supreme Court

Cabinet Secretaries advise president; departments carry out laws​

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Executive Departments are often designated by three letter abbreviations: FBI, CIA, DIA, DEA.....​

Cabinet/Executive Departments

Same requirements as President;​ first in line to take over for president​

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Leader of the Senate - votes to break ties

Represents US​

Vice President

Executive Branch - carries out laws

The Executive Branch is the largest branch of government as it contains all Exective Departments including the military

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a check on the Executive Branch

• Confirmation of a presidential nominee

• Ratifying a treaty with another nation

• The Cabinet advising about economic tensions

• The Supreme Court declaring an executive order unconstitutional

Judicial Branch - interprets the laws

Supreme Court

​9 justices, no official requirements

appointed by president, confirmed by Senate​

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Only court created in the Constitution; Congress has power to create lower courts

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Has power of judicial review - the ability to declare laws or acts of government unconstituional​

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In order to have your case heard by the Supreme Court, a writ of certorari must be filed to start the processs

Multiple Choice

Which case established the concept of Judicial Review

• US v. Nixon

• Marbury v. Madison

• Bush v. Gore

• Plessy v. Feguson