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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