 Constitution – body of fundamental laws which say how a government is to operate  It is the supreme law of the land  It explains how the government works  It protects your civil rights

 The Preamble – lays out the purpose and introduces the Constitution  The Articles – the substance of governmental law  The Amendments Uncle Sam needs you to study harder!

 I. The Legislative Branch  II. The Executive Branch  III. The Judicial Branch  IV. Relations Among States  V. The Amendment Process  VI. National Debts, National Supremacy, Oaths of Office  VII. Requirements for Ratification

Article I – Legislative Branch Bicameral Legislature SenateHouse Congress

Article I – Legislative Branch Congress Both houses must approve all legislation before the president can sign it into law Both houses must approve all legislation before the president can sign it into law Can override a presidential veto with 2/3 vote in both houses Can override a presidential veto with 2/3 vote in both houses Simple majority rule for most votes Simple majority rule for most votes

How a Bill Becomes a Law Congress can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds majority vote of both houses - bill becomes law PRESIDENT Bill Introduced in Senate Bill Introduced in House of Representatives Referred to Senate committee and subcommittee for hearings, debate, and changes Referred to House committee and subcommittee for hearings, debate, and changes If committee passes bill (51), it goes to the full Senate If committee passes bill (50% + 1), it goes to the full House House-Senate conference committee settles any differences in the two bills; sends final bill back to both houses.) House and Senate vote on final passage; if bill passes both houses, it goes to the President If House passes bill (50% +1), it goes to the Senate. (If both Senate and House pass bill, it goes to a conference committee.) If Senate passes bill (51), it goes to the House. (If both House and Senate pass bill, it goes to a conference committee.) President can sign bill into law or veto (reject) it CONGRESS

Article I – Legislative Branch Congress Majority Party controls the schedule and business in each house Majority Party controls the schedule and business in each house The most powerful member of Congress is the Speaker of the House The most powerful member of Congress is the Speaker of the House

Article I – Legislative Branch Senate 100 members – 2 senators from each state 100 members – 2 senators from each state Must be at least 30 years old Must be at least 30 years old Citizen of U.S. for 9 years Citizen of U.S. for 9 years Resident of state where elected Resident of state where elected

Article I – Legislative Branch Senate Powers Confirms presidential appointments such as cabinet members and federal judges Confirms presidential appointments such as cabinet members and federal judges Holds impeachment trials – acts as the jury Holds impeachment trials – acts as the jury Approves all treaties with foreign powers Approves all treaties with foreign powers

Article I – Legislative Branch House of Representatives 435 members – number set by law 435 members – number set by law Minimum of 1 member per state Minimum of 1 member per state Must be at least 25 years old Must be at least 25 years old Citizen of U.S. for 7 years Citizen of U.S. for 7 years Resident of state and district where elected Resident of state and district where elected

Article I – Legislative Branch House Powers All appropriations (legislation involving spending money) bills must begin in the House All appropriations (legislation involving spending money) bills must begin in the House Impeachment proceedings begin in the House Impeachment proceedings begin in the House Breaks ties in the Electoral College Breaks ties in the Electoral College

Article II – Executive Branch President Cabinet Departments Executive Office Agencies, Boards & Commissions

Article II – Executive Branch President Must be at least 35 years old Must be at least 35 years old Natural born citizen – born in the U.S. Natural born citizen – born in the U.S. Must be a resident in the U.S. for 14 years Must be a resident in the U.S. for 14 years Can only serve two terms or ten years total (22 nd Amendment) Can only serve two terms or ten years total (22 nd Amendment) The same applies to the V.P. also The same applies to the V.P. also

Article II – Executive Branch President as Chief Executive Develops federal policy Develops federal policy Enforces the law Enforces the law Appoints federal officials Appoints federal officials Prepares the national budget Prepares the national budget

Article II – Executive Branch President’s Role Commander-in-Chief of the military Commander-in-Chief of the military Sets foreign policy Sets foreign policy Chief of State – Symbolic representative of the United States Chief of State – Symbolic representative of the United States Gives annual State of the Union Address Gives annual State of the Union Address

Article II – Executive Branch President’s Powers Enforces federal laws Enforces federal laws Grants reprieves and pardons Grants reprieves and pardons Appoints federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members Appoints federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members Makes treaties with foreign nations Makes treaties with foreign nations Has the power to veto (reject) legislation Has the power to veto (reject) legislation

Article III – Judicial Branch Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the only court created directly by the Constitution The Supreme Court is the only court created directly by the Constitution All other federal courts are created by Congress – Federal Judiciary Act (1789) All other federal courts are created by Congress – Federal Judiciary Act (1789) All federal judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate All federal judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate

Article III – Judicial Branch Supreme Court No stated requirements for office, but typically requires experience as a lawyer or lower court judge No stated requirements for office, but typically requires experience as a lawyer or lower court judge Appointed for life Appointed for life Court currently has nine justices – number of justices set by Congress Court currently has nine justices – number of justices set by Congress

Article III – Judicial Branch Supreme Court Powers Has the final say in cases involving federal law Has the final say in cases involving federal law Has the final say in cases involving disputes between two or more states Has the final say in cases involving disputes between two or more states Hears cases involving foreign ambassadors Hears cases involving foreign ambassadors

Article III – Judicial Branch Supreme Court Powers Decides issues of Constitutional law Decides issues of Constitutional law Majority of cases come on appeal from a lower court Majority of cases come on appeal from a lower court Cases can be appealed from a state court Cases can be appealed from a state court Rulings decided by majority vote Rulings decided by majority vote Decisions are final and set precedents for future cases Decisions are final and set precedents for future cases

Article III – Judicial Branch Supreme Court Powers Most important power is Judicial Review – the power to declare laws unconstitutional Most important power is Judicial Review – the power to declare laws unconstitutional Supreme Court has the final say on what is or is not Constitutional Supreme Court has the final say on what is or is not Constitutional