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
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
Top Related