Legislative Branch (Congress)

2- House (bicameral) legislature

Senate House of

Representatives Rep. based on Rep. based

on population for population

for each state each state

Legislative Branch (Congress)

1-house (unicameral) legislature

Rep. based onequality for all states (2)

Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan

Which one to use?

The “Great” or Connecticut CompromiseLegislative Branch (Congress)

2- House (bicameral) legislature

Senate House of

Representatives 100 435 Rep. based on Rep. based

on equality for population

for each state (2) each state

They solved the problem by making rep. equal for all states in this house.

In this house, rep. would be based on population for all states.

The U.S. Government Today

House of Senate Representatives Equal rep. Rep.

based on for each

population for state.(2)= each

state.(100 members) (435

members)

President

Vice-President

Cabinet(25 members)

Supreme Court

(9 members)

The Three Branches

Legislative Branch (Congress)

Creates Laws

Executive Branch

Enforces the laws

Judicial BranchInterprets the

laws

Judicial Branch Powers

The Supreme Court1. Makes sure no laws

go against the Constitution.

Executive Branch Powers

The President1. Carries out the laws.2. Serves as commander in

chief of the armed forces.3. Appoints judges and

other officials.4. Makes treaties

Legislative Branch Powers

Congress1. Creates laws.2. Declares war.3. Regulates trade.

Checks

and

Balances

Congress determines number of judges on Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court can rule laws passed by Congress unconstitutional.

President c

an ve

to or reject

a law

passe

d by Congre

ss.Congre

ss ca

n overri

de the ve

to with

2/3

majority

vote in

both houses. President appoints Suprem

e

Court judges.

Supreme Court can rule Presidential

actions unconstitutional.

Federalism underThe U.S.

ConstitutionNational

Government• Declare war• Maintain armed forces• Regulate foreign trade• Admit new states• establish post offices• Set standard weights and measures• coin money• Establish foreign policy

State Governments

• Establish and maintain schools• Establish city governments• Make marriage laws • Provide for public safety• Regulate business within the state

Shared• Maintain law and order• Levy taxes• Borrow money• Charter banks• Establish courts• Provide for public welfare

Federalism: Shared power between the state and federal government.

HouseBill must pass by majority vote. (51%)

Step 1: A bill is introduced in either house of Congress.

Congress

SenateBill must pass by majority vote. (51%)

Step 2: If the bill passes Congress, it goes to the office of the President.

President

Option 1: The President can sign the bill into law.

Option 2: The President can veto or reject the bill.

Step 3: If the President vetoes the bill, it goes back to Congress. Congress votes on the bill a second time. If the bill can get a 2/3 majority vote in both houses, Congress can bypass the President. This is called a veto override. The bill can then go to the Supreme Court without the President’s signature.

The Supreme Court makes sure the bill follows the Constitution. If it does, the bill becomes a new law. If it does not, the Court will rule the bill unconstitutional and it cannot become a law.

Law

HouseBill must pass by majority vote. (67%)

SenateBill must pass by majority vote. (67%)

Supreme CourtVeto Override