1. US Government Ch. 3 Section 3

2.  Passage of Basic Legislation by Congress  Actions taken by the President  Key Decisions of the Supreme Court  Activities of Political Parties  Customs

3.  Congress has passed a number of laws to fill in the blanks the Framers left on purpose.  Article II – creates the offices of President and Vice-President. The other depts. and offices were created by Congress  By the way Congress has used its powers.  Power to regulate foreign and intestate commerce. Congress has passed thousands of laws regarding commerce.

4.  Various Presidents have used powers that have contributed to the growth of the Constitution.  Only Congress can declare war, but the President is the commander in chief of the armed forces. Several presidents have used this to make war.  Executive agreement vs. treaty: Treaties have to be approved by Congress, executive agreements are between the leaders of countries.

5. US Supreme Court interpret and apply the Constitution in many cases they hear. Marbury vs. Madison – est. judicial review (1803) The Supreme Court is “a constitutional convention in continuous session.”  Woodrow Wilson

6.  Major source of constitutional change even though the Constitution makes no mention of them.  Most of the Framers were opposed to them – Washington warned about them in his farewell address.  Constitution doesn’t provide for the nomination of candidates for presidency  Major parties have held nominating conventions to do that

7.  Both houses of Congress do business along party lines.

8.  Many customs have developed in government.  The Cabinet is composed of the heads of the 15 executive departments.  Death of president in office – Article II and 25 th Amendment  No third terms – consecutively for Presidents until FDR – led to 22 nd Amendment