Separation of Powers When the powers of the U.S. government is divided among the three branches of government. The writers of the Constitution included this concept because they did not want one branch to become more powerful than the others.

Separation of Powers With separation of powers, each branch would be separate from, yet equal to, the other branches. Every branch would have its own job to do. A branch would be able to do some things on its own, but important actions and decisions would have to be approved by another branch. This ensured that no one branch became too powerful.

Legislative Branch Congress Make Laws House of Representatives (435 Members) Representatives serve a 2 year term Representatives must be 25 and a citizen for 7 years Can bring articles of impeachment against government officials. Can propose tax or revenue laws.

Legislative Branch Congress Make Laws Senate (100 members) Senators serve a 6 year-term Senator must be 30 and a citizen for 9 years Can try impeachment cases against government officials. Approve justices to the Supreme Court. Ratifies treaties with foreign governments.

Legislative Branch Congress Make Laws Both Together Can propose laws Can declare war Can override the President’s veto with 2/3 vote Can propose amendments to the Constitution with 2/3 vote

Executive Branch President, Vice President, Cabinet Enforces Laws The president serves a 4 year term The president must be 35, a 14-year resident and a native born U.S. citizen Has power to approve or veto laws. Makes treaties with foreign governments Nominates judges to the Supreme Court Appoints cabinet members Commander-in-Chief of U.S. military

Judicial Branch Supreme and Federal Courts Interprets Laws Justices of Supreme Court serve for life Reviews laws/treaties– can declare laws/treaties unconstitutional This is called judicial review. Can settle disputes involving the U.S. Can settle disputes between the states. Chief Justice presides over impeachment trial of the President.

Checks and Balances The writers of the Constitution developed a system that would enable each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches. This prevented one branch of government from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances Congress makes a law. The President vetoes the law. Is the law dead?

Checks and Balances Congress can override the President’s veto with 2/3 vote of Congress. The judicial branch of government can check the actions of the other two branches through judicial review. The Supreme Court must decide it all laws or actions are constitutional or unconstitutional.

Checks and Balances Congress makes the laws but… The President can veto the law if he thinks it is inappropriate. BUT… Congress can override the veto with 2/3 vote. BUT… The Supreme Court interprets laws to make sure that all laws are constitutional. This is called judicial review.

Checks and Balances The President appoints judges to the Supreme Court for life. BUT… Congress must approve presidential appointments for judges and justices. BUT… Supreme Court can impeach the judges for wrongdoing.

Checks and Balances The President writes a budget. BUT… Congress must approve the budget. BUT… The Supreme Court will make sure that the budget follows the order of the Constitution.