1. The Three Branches of Government

2. Bicameral legislature Strong executive with bureaucracy
What kind of government did the Constitution establish?
Bicameral legislature
Strong executive with bureaucracy
Minimal federal court system
Checks and balances (built in conflict)
2 hump camel

3. The Legislative Branch
1st Branch
The Legislative Branch

4. Historical Perspective
Legislative Branch
Historical Perspective
The “Founding Fathers”
Expected the legislative
branch to be dominant.
Feared a legislature with too much power.
but

5. Legislative Branch Solution The Enumerated Powers
Congress only has those powers specifically given to it by the Constitution.
Article I, Section 8, #1-18
The Enumerated Powers

6. The Elastic Clause Enumerated Power #18 Stretch Power
Gives Congress the power to make all laws that are “necessary and proper” to carry out the other powers.
Stretch Power

7. Congress Then and Now The first Congress
The House introduced only 5 bills.
Senate introduced only 26 bills.
Today, more than 10,000 bills are introduced every year.

8. 2nd Branch
The Executive Branch

9. The Executive Branch The President Vague but broad
Constitutional Powers
Head of the
Executive Branch
Article II, Sections 2 & 3
The President

10. Powers of the President
Commander in chief
Appoints heads of departments
Pardons
Make treaties
Appoints ambassadors, judges, etc.
Can give messages to Congress (including State of the Union)
Can call special sessions of Congress
Commissions military officers
Faithfully executes laws

11. 3rd Branch
The Judicial Branch

12. The Judicial Branch
“Founding Fathers” thought it would be weakest branch.
Every court can only “hear” certain types of cases (“jurisdiction”).

13. Federal Courts Federal Courts’ Jurisdiction Examples
Treaties with foreign nations
Interpretations of the Constitution
Maritime law
Bankruptcy

14. Shared Power and Conflict
The three branches of government
must work together.
The relationship
between the
branches is
sometimes difficult.

15. Shared Power The President and Congress must work together.
The President often “proposes” laws or programs.
Congress develops bills and appropriates money for President’s ideas.
The President implements the laws.

16. Conflict
The growing power of the President has usually been at the expense of the Congress.
President and Congress may disagree on legislation.