U.S U.S GovernmGovernm

entent

Three Three Branches Branches

of Governmentof Government

Founding Fathers

The The Founding FathersFounding Fathers, the framers of the , the framers of the ConstitutionConstitution,, wanted to form a government that did not allow one wanted to form a government that did not allow one person to have too much authority or control. While under person to have too much authority or control. While under the rule of the British king they learned that this could be a the rule of the British king they learned that this could be a bad system. They wanted a strong centralized governmentbad system. They wanted a strong centralized government

The Constitution provided for a The Constitution provided for a separation of powersseparation of powers, or , or three separate branches of government.three separate branches of government.

*Each has its own responsibilities *Each has its own responsibilities * Work together to make the country run smoothly * Work together to make the country run smoothly * protect the rights of citizens * protect the rights of citizens

The three branches of the U.S. Government are theThe three branches of the U.S. Government are the

Legislative, Executive, JudicialLegislative, Executive, Judicial

* Three branches of government* A "check and balance" system in the Constitution. * * * Designed so no one branch of our government could become too powerful.

•Headed by Congress

House of Representatives

Senate

Main jobs:

Make the laws.

Originating spending bills

(House)

Impeaching officials

(Senate)

Approving treaties (Senate).

Legislative Branch

CongressCongress

U.S. Capitol

Building

Home of Senate

House of Rep.

• Representation is based on the number of people living in each state.• There are a total of 435 Representatives in the House.

•Each member represents an area of the state, known as a Congressional District.

•The number of representatives is based on the number of districts in a state.

•. Each state has at least one congressional district and therefore one representative in the House.

•There are six states with just one representative per state. They are Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming. California has the most representatives, a total of 53.

The House of Representatives

So You want to be a So You want to be a RepresentativeRepresentative

To be a Representative a person must be at To be a Representative a person must be at least 25 years oldleast 25 years old

a U.S. citizen for at least 7 yearsa U.S. citizen for at least 7 years

inhabitant of that state in which he shall be inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen. chosen.

The Legislative Branch: The Senate

SenateSenate Voters elect Voters elect two senators from each statetwo senators from each state, regardless of , regardless of

population size. 100 Senatorspopulation size. 100 Senators There is There is equal representationequal representation from each state in the from each state in the

Senate. Senate. Senators are Senators are elected every 6 yearselected every 6 years. time.. time. Only the Senate can approve or reject treaties and Only the Senate can approve or reject treaties and

presidential nominations for government offices. presidential nominations for government offices. To be a SenatorTo be a Senator

at least 30 years oldat least 30 years old a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years,a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and have fulfilled the requirements for residency and have fulfilled the requirements for residency

in the state that person wishes to represent.in the state that person wishes to represent.

So You Want To Be So You Want To Be A SenatorA Senator

at least 30 years oldat least 30 years old

a U.S. citizen for at least 9 yearsa U.S. citizen for at least 9 years

Meet the requirements for residencyMeet the requirements for residency

Executive Branch:

•Headed by the president.

•Carries out federal laws a

•Recommends new laws

•Directs national defense and foreign policy

•Performs ceremonial duties.

•Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces

•Acting as chief law enforcement officer, and vetoing laws.

Executive Branch

White House

Home of the President

So You Want to be So You Want to be PresidentPresident

•natural-born citizen of the United States

•35 years of age

•resided in the United States for 14 years

•Elected for a 4 year term

The Executive Branch: The The Executive Branch: The President's CabinetPresident's Cabinet

The modern Cabinet has fourteen heads of departments, as well as a number of other important officials. Secretaries of Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, and Homeland Security are among some of the other Cabinet members.

Senate and the House Senate and the House approve a bill,approve a bill,

Sent to the President. Sent to the President. If he agrees with the law, he If he agrees with the law, he

signs it and the law goes into signs it and the law goes into effect.effect.

If the President does not like a If the President does not like a bill, he can refuse to sign it. bill, he can refuse to sign it. When he does this, it is called When he does this, it is called a a vetoveto. .

If the President vetoes a bill, it If the President vetoes a bill, it will most likely never become will most likely never become a law. a law.

Congress can override a veto, Congress can override a veto, but to do so two-thirds of the but to do so two-thirds of the Members of Congress must Members of Congress must vote against the President.vote against the President.

Judicial Branch:

•Headed by the Supreme Court.

•Powers include:

Interpreting the Constitution

reviewing laws

deciding cases involving

state’s right

Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land.

•Chief Justice, or head judge

•Eight associate justices.

•Appointed by the president and approved by a vote of the Senate.

•Serve for life unless they choose to retire. Their job is to interpret laws passed by Congress.

The Supreme Court heads the The Supreme Court heads the judicial branch of the United Statesjudicial branch of the United States

Court established by the Constitution.Court established by the Constitution. Decisions made by the Supreme Court are Decisions made by the Supreme Court are

usually of national importance. usually of national importance. "Equal Justice under Law" is the motto of the "Equal Justice under Law" is the motto of the

Supreme Court. Supreme Court. The wording of the Constitution is complex, so it The wording of the Constitution is complex, so it

must be studied and examined carefully.must be studied and examined carefully. Supreme Court is responsible for explaining and Supreme Court is responsible for explaining and

interpreting the Constitution. interpreting the Constitution.

Three Branches of Three Branches of GovermentGoverment