Starter

Define the following terms:1.Popular sovereignty2.Limited government3.Separation of powers4.Checks and balances5.federalism

EXPLAIN HOW THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION DEFINES THE FRAMEWORK,

ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AT THE NATIONAL

LEVEL.

Objective 2.02

The Legislative Branch

Established by Article I of the ConstitutionHouse of Representatives

Based on population Two year terms

Senate Two per state Six year terms At first were elected by state legislatures, but now by

people- 17th Amendment

Capitol Hill- Congress

US House of Representatives

US Senate

Kay HaganKay Hagan Richard BurrRichard Burr

North Carolina’s US Senators

Our US Congressman- House of Representatives- NC District 7

Born in Lumberton, NC

Powers and Responsibilities

Both houses must approve a bill (proposed law) before it becomes a law

Some powers are possessed by only one house House: tax bills Senate: block or confirm presidential nominees

To guard against corruption Members can be censured or expelled

Law-making

Congress is broken down into committees These committees hear and debate laws before

the entire House or Senate votes on them The may kill a bill before it has a chance Both political parties serve on them, but the

chairman usually has seniorityFilibuster

Once a bill gets to the Senate floor anyone may delay its vote- if they don’t like it

Filibuster may be ended by cloture: 3/5 vote of all senators (60 out of 100)

Members of Congress have immunity

Congressional leadership

Speaker of the House- leader of HouseVice president- leader of the Senate

President pro tempore (president of the Senate) serves if the VP is absent

Majority and Minority leaders of the two parties (Republicans and Democrats) Majority and minority whips- help with voting

Ensure everyone votes the way the party wants them to

Limits

Congress can’t suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus- going before the judge before being locked up

Can’t pass bills of attainder- convict people without a trial

Can’t pass ex post facto laws- making something illegal if there was no law against it

May not grant titles of nobility

President Barrack ObamaPresident Barrack Obama VP Joe BidenVP Joe Biden

President Barack Obama

Executive Branch

Executive Branch

Established by Article IIServes a four year term

There was no limit on terms until 1951 (22nd amendment) Now can only serve two terms

The President is: Head of state- figure head of our nation Commander in chief- keeps civilian control of the military Chief diplomat- meets with leaders of other nations

Can negotiate treaties with other nations- must be approved by the Senate

Chief executive- appoints members to his Cabinet or federal judges Must be approved by the Senate

Legislative leader- proposes law for Congressional consideration

Economic leader- makes the nation’s budget Party leader- the head of their political party

Presidential Powers

Executive agreements with other nations These do not need Senate approval

Veto- refusing to sign a bill into lawExecutive orders- carry the force of law

Tell government agencies to take certain actions

Pardons- excuse people from punishmentCommute sentences- shorten jail timeReprieve- delay a jail sentence

President

Gives the State of the Union speech every January to Congress

Presidential succession Who becomes President if he can’t serve? The VP, then Speaker of the House, then President pro

tempore- 26th amendmentImpeachment-

process by which the president is removed from office if he goes against the Constitution

House impeaches, Senate holds trial (2/3 must find him guilty)

Only two were impeached, none were convicted

Judicial Branch

Established by Article III

US Supreme Court- 9 justices (judges) Chief Justice is the

head judge The other eight are

associate judges They serve for life

Congress creates all other federal courts

Jurisdiction- ability to hear a case

Original Jurisdiction- court’s authority to hear a case

Appellate jurisdiction- court’s authority to review a decision from a lower court

Concurrent jurisdiction- more than one court (state or federal) has jurisdiction

Exclusive jurisdiction- only the federal court system has authority to rule

Court’s Main Power

Judicial Review Not granted specifically by the Constitution Power to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional Founded by court case Marbury vs. Madison

Precedence- past court decisions are used to make legal rulings