Download Branches of Government Notes-2-23-17

The Three
Branches of the
United States
Government
DO NOW
• Think of a specific time you have abused
power or someone you know has abused
power.
• Why do we have a Constitution? (hint:
think of our role play activity and the
previous question you just answered)
OUR GOVERNMENT
• Constitution:
– a document that
gives power to
the government
and rights to the
people
OUR GOVERNMENT
• Checks and Balances – a system that
prevents any part of government (branch)
from becoming too powerful; each of the
branches can limit powers of the others.
• EX) Congress makes bills that the president signs into
law
• The Constitution divides power among three
parts or “branches” of government to ensure
no one branch has all the power.
– Article 1 = legislative
– Article 2 = executive
– Article 3 = judicial
Legislative Branch
• (Makes Laws)Division of the government
that proposes and passes bills (includes
the House of Representatives and the
Senate)
Executive Branch
• (ENFORCES LAWS)Division of
government that includes the president
and administrators; enforces laws.
Judicial Branch
• (INTERPRETS LAWS)Division of
government made up of courts; in charge
of the court system; interprets laws,
punishes criminals and settles disputes
(The Supreme Court is the highest court in
the United States)
SUMMARY OF BRANCHES
Senate and House of Repsmake laws
President makes laws into
reality
Supreme Court reviews laws
Legislative Branch – Congress
MAKES
LAWS
Legislative – Congress
• House of Representatives
1.
2.
3.
4.
Reps serve 2 yrs
A Rep must be 25 yrs old & a citizen for 7 yrs
Can suggest tax laws
Can impeach the president
Legislative – Congress
• Senate
5. Senators serve a 6 yr term
6. A Senator must be 30 yrs old and
a citizen for 9 yrs
7. Can approve presidential
appointments
8. Approves treaties with foreign
powers
9. Can put the president on trial
after impeachment
Legislative – Congress
•
Both the House and Senate together
10. Can propose laws
11. Can declare war
12. Can override the president’s veto with
a 2/3 vote
13. Can propose amendments to the
Constitution with a 2/3 vote
Executive Branch – the President
ENFORCES
LAWS
Executive – the President, Vice
President and Cabinet
14. The President serves a four year term.
15.The President must be at least 35 yrs
old, a 14-yr resident and native born
16. Has the power to approve or veto laws
17. Makes international treaties
18.Nominates judges to the Supreme Ct
19. Appoints cabinet members
20. Is Commander-in-Chief of the military
Judicial Branch – Supreme and
Federal Courts
INTERPRETS
LAWS
Judicial – Supreme and Federal
Courts
21. Justices of the Supreme Ct
serve for life
22. Can declare laws
unconstitutional
23. Can settle disputes
involving the U.S.
24. Can settle disputes
between states
25. Chief Justice rules over an
impeachment trial of the
President
Legislative Branch Checks
•Impeachment power (House)
•Trial of impeachments (Senate)
•May Override Presidential vetoes
•Senate approves treaties and
presidential appointments
•Power to declare war
•Power to initiate constitutional
amendments
•Power to set jurisdiction of courts
•Power to alter the size of the
Supreme Court
Executive Branch
Checks
•Veto Power
•Vice President is the
President of the Senate
•Commander in chief of
the military
•Emergency calling into
session of Congress
•Power to appoint judges
•Pardon power
Judicial Branch Checks:
•Judicial Review (determine if law is constitutional)
•Seats are held on good behavior (for life)
•Chief Justice sits as President of the Senate during
presidential impeachment
•Settle disputes between states