Structures, Powers, & Checks/Balances

Chapter 8, Section 1 Separation of Powers

(Military ) Chiefs of Staff The Executive Branch The Executive Branch President’s President’s 5Roles Chief Executive Chief Diplomat Commander-in-Chief of the Military Chief of State Legislative leader

Chapter 8, Section 2 The Executive Branch: Powers and Duties of the President To carry out the nation’s laws To direct foreign policy To make treaties To appoint ambassadors To act as Commander in Chief of the armed forces To suggest new laws and work for their passage Can grant pardons Can call special sessions of Congress To stand as a symbol of the nation

Chapter 8, Section 2 Electing the President: Presidential Facts The President is elected for a 4-year term. The President may be elected to no more than two complete terms. The President is elected by a complex system known as the electoral college. When Americans vote for President, they are really voting for a group of electors pledged to the candidate. A few weeks after Election Day, the electors meet in each state to vote. The candidate who receives a majority of the electoral votes nationwide becomes President.

Chapter 8, Section 2 Electing the President: The Electoral College

Chapter 8, Section 2 The Legislative Branch: Congress House of Representatives 435 members Number of representatives for a state is based on that state’s population 2-year terms Leader of the House is the Speaker. Senate 100 members Two senators per state 6-year terms Leader of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States. When the Vice President is away, the president pro tempore takes over.

Chapter 8, Section 2 The Legislative Branch: The Powers of Congress Listed Powers and Duties of Congress To make laws To levy taxes To borrow money To coin money To establish post offices To fix standard weights and measures To declare war Elastic Clause Congress can “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out its duties.

Chapter 8, Section 2 How a Bill Becomes a Law Bill—a proposal for a law

Chapter 8, Section 2 The Judicial Branch

Separation of Powers

Executive Checks On the Legislative Executive Judicial * Can propose laws * Can veto laws * Can call special sessions of Congress * Makes appointments * Works out foreign treaties * Can grant pardons to federal offenders Executive Checks On the Judicial * Appoints federal judges

Legislative * Can declare what the president does unconstitutional (against the law) Executive Judicial Judicial Checks on the Executive Branch * Can declare what Congress does unconstitutional (against the law) Judicial Checks on the Legislative Branch

Chapter 8, Section 2 Examples of Checks and Balances One branchchecks another branchby doing the following PresidentCongressvetoing, or rejecting, bills Congress has passed CongressPresidentoverriding, or overruling, the President’s veto CongressPresidentapproving or disapproving Presidential appointments CongressPresidentratify or not ratify treaties the President has negotiated CongressPresidentThe House can impeach, or bring charges of wrongdoing against, the President. The Senate then conducts a trial. SupremePresident and Congressdeclaring laws unconstitutional

Powers Reserved to States Powers Delegated to National Government Create corporation laws Regulate trade within state Establish & maintain schools Establish local governments Make laws about marriage & divorce Conduct elections Provide for public safety Coin money Declare War Regulate interstate & Foreign trade Set standard weights & measures Create & maintain armed forces Make copyright & patent laws Establish postal offices Establish foreign policy Create federal courts Admit new states The Federal System Provide for public welfare Administer criminal justice Start banks Raise taxes Borrow money

Chapter 8, Section 1 Federalism