Branches of Government

Legislative Branch

House of representatives Currently 435 members in the House Representation based on population of each state House leadership is elected every two years at the beginning of a new Congress.

Speaker of the House Rep. John A. Boehner Elected by the entire membership of the House of Representatives, the Speaker presides over the House as its administrative head and serves as the leader of the majority party in the chamber.

Minority Leadership Rep. Nancy Pelosi Elected by the Democratic Caucus, the Minority Leader directs the party's legislative strategies and operations and serves as a spokesperson for the minority party.

Powers of the House of Representatives 1) the right to initiate impeachment proceedings impeachment 2)to originate revenue bills 3) Has committee system defined as: membership is divided into specialized groups for purposes such as holding hearings, preparing bills for the consideration of the entire House

House Committee System Almost all bills are first referred to a committee, and ordinarily the full House cannot act on a bill until the committee has “reported” it for floor action. There are approximately 20 standing (permanent) committees, organized mainly around major policy areas, each having staffs, budgets, and subcommittees.

Committee System continued They may hold hearings on questions of public interest, propose legislation that has not been formally introduced as a bill or resolution, and conduct investigations.

The Senate & their powers The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments [The President] shall have Powers, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur

Senate Powers [The president] shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States.

Senate Powers Senate has the power to Declare war

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court Information Consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight associate justices At its discretion, the Supreme Court each year hears a limited number of the cases it is asked to decide Those cases may begin in the federal or state courts, and they usually involve important questions about the Constitution or federal law

Powers of the Supreme Court The best-known power of the Supreme Court is judicial review, or the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, is not found within the text of the Constitution itself. The Court established this doctrine in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Court Powers The Supreme Court has the final say over when a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated.

Role of the Supreme Court First, as the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those looking for justice. Second, due to its power of judicial review, it plays an essential role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its own power. Third, it protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. Finally, it sets appropriate limits on democratic government by ensuring that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm and/or take undue advantage of unpopular minorities

The Executive Branch

Powers of the Presidency 1) The power to appoint ambassadors, members of the Cabinet, Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of the lower Federal Courts. 2) Veto bills emerging from Congress

Powers Continued 3)The president has the power to make treaties with other nations with the advice and consent of 2/3rds of the Senate 4) is commander-in-chief of the armed forces

Executive Powers Continued 5) The president can grant reprieves and pardons (except in the case of impeachment).impeachment 6) He can convene Congress for special sessions

Powers of President continued 7) He must deliver a State of the Union address annually to a joint session of Congress

Executive Orders In times of emergency, the president can override congress and issue executive orders with almost limitless power. Abraham Lincoln used an executive order in order to fight the Civil War, Woodrow Wilson issued one in order to arm the United States just before it entered World War I, and Franklin Roosevelt approved Japanese internment camps during World War II with an executive order. Many other executive orders are on file and could be enacted at any time.