Federal Government

Federal Government

1. Legislative Branch

   • Congress
     • House of Representatives
       • Impeachment
     • Senate
       • The Senate must approve all cabinet members by majority vote
       • The Senate must ratify the president's treaties
     • Shared responsibilities and authorities:
       • Power of the purse
         • The president must ask Congress for any funding
         • Establishment, funding, and regulation of the military
         • Regulation of commerce
         • Imposition of taxes and tariffs
       • Writing of bills
       • Control of the process of citizenship
       • Bankruptcy protection
       • Imposition of law in American Territorial Waters
       • Declaration of war

2. Executive Branch

   • The President
     • Picking the Cabinet Members
       • Vice President
         • The VP Operates as President of the Senate and has tie-breaking vote
         • The VP takes over as president in the event of the president's death, resignation, or removal from office
       • Heads of the cutive Departments
         • Executive Departments:
           • Department of State
           • Department of the Interior
           • Department of Agriculture
           • Department of Commerce
           • Department of Housing and Urban Development
           • Department of Health and Human Services
           • Department of Energy
           • Department of Education
           • Department of Veteran's Affairs
           • Department of Homeland Security
         • Department of Justice
         • Department of the Treasury
         • Department of Defense
         • Department of transportation
         • Department of Labor
     • Authorities and Responsibilities:
       • Commander in Chief of the military
       • The President can veto and sign bills
       • Granting reprieves and pardons
       • Making treaties
       • Calling Special Sessions of Congress

3. Judicial Branch

   • The Supreme Court
     • Judicial Review
       • Makes sure the other Branches of Government stay within their constitutional authorities
     • Hears cases only from entities that can prove the government has harmed them