Unit 1: Law, Justice, and You Chapter 3 Constitutional Rights

Lesson 3.1 Division and Balance of Power

System of Checks and Balances Three Branches of Government Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch Senate Congress House of Representatives Vice President President U. S. Supreme Court

Legislative Branch Constitution called for equal representation of all states—big and small Senate –Two members from each state –Six-year term House –Seats allocated in proportion to population –Two-year term

Legislative Branch Checks and balancesChecks and balances –Senate could block any action of the House –House could block any action of the Senate –A majority vote of both bodies is required for passage of any bill

Executive Branch President Vice President Four-year term Political party—private organization of citizens who select and promote candidates for election to public office; not mentioned in Constitution

Judicial Branch U. S. Supreme CourtU. S. Supreme Court Decides on the constitutionality of statutes passed by the legislative branch and signed by the PresidentDecides on the constitutionality of statutes passed by the legislative branch and signed by the President

Changing the Constitution Amendment—change or alterationAmendment—change or alteration Two waysTwo ways –*proposed by a 2/3 majority vote in both the Senate and the House –requires the legislatures of 2/3 of all the states to call a convention of all the states to propose one or more amendments

Our Form of Government DemocracyDemocracy –every adult citizen may vote on all issues –impossible with >250 million people! RepublicRepublic –representative democracy –voters select representatives to the three branches of government

Powers of the Federal Government Duty to protect every state against invasionDuty to protect every state against invasion May raise and support armies, a navy, and an air force for national defenseMay raise and support armies, a navy, and an air force for national defense Exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce and foreign commerceExclusive power to regulate interstate commerce and foreign commerce May establish post offices, coin money, and tax imports and exportsMay establish post offices, coin money, and tax imports and exports