2. The Three Branches of the United States Government

3. DO NOW MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR TEXTBOOK WHAT ARE THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT DESCRIBE THEIR ROLES WHICH ONE IS THE MOST POWERFUL?

4. OUR GOVERNMENT Constitution: –a document that gives power to the government and rights to the people

5. OUR GOVERNMENT Checks and Balances – a system that prevents any part of government (branch) from becoming too powerful; each of the branches can limit powers of the others. EX) Congress makes laws that the president signs The Constitution divides power among three parts or “branches” of government to ensure no one branch has all the power. –Article 1 = legislative –Article 2 = executive –Article 3 = judicial

6. Legislative Branch Division of the government that proposes and passes bills

7. Executive Branch Division of government that includes the president and administrators; enforces laws.

8. Judicial Branch Division of government made up of courts; in charge of the court system; interprets laws, punishes criminals and settles disputes

9. SUMMARY OF BRANCHES Supreme Court - reviews laws Senate and House of Reps- make laws President - makes laws into reality

10. Legislative Branch – Congress MAKES LAWS

11. Legislative – Congress House of Representatives 1.Reps serve 2 yrs 2.A Rep must be 25 yrs old & a citizen for 7 yrs 3.Can suggest tax laws 4.Can impeach the president

12. Legislative – Congress Senate 5.Senators serve a 6 yr term 6.A Senator must be 30 yrs old and a citizen for 9 yrs 7.Can approve presidential appointments 8.Approves treaties with foreign powers 9.Can put the president on trial after impeachment

13. Legislative – Congress Both the House and Senate together 10. Can propose laws 11. Can declare war 12. Can override the president’s veto with a 2/3 vote 13. Can propose amendments to the Constitution with a 2/3 vote

14. Executive Branch – the President ENFORCES LAWS

15. Executive – the President, Vice President and Cabinet 14. The President serves a four year term. 15.The President must be at least 35 yrs old, a 14-yr resident and native born 16. Has the power to approve or veto laws 17. Makes international treaties 18.Nominates judges to the Supreme Ct 19. Appoints cabinet members 20. Is Commander-in-Chief of the military

16. Judicial Branch – Supreme and Federal Courts INTERPRETS LAWS

17. Judicial – Supreme and Federal Courts 21.Justices of the Supreme Ct serve for life 22. Can declare laws unconstitutional 23. Can settle disputes involving the U.S. 24. Can settle disputes between states 25. Chief Justice rules over an impeachment trial of the President