Branches of Government

Branches of Government

1. Legislative Branch

   • Members: Congress 2 houses-Senate-House of Representatives"May make Laws which shall be necessary and proper" to carry out its other powers - Elastic Clause
   • Senate: 6-year term must be at least 30 years old Must be a citizen for at least 7 years upper house elected by popular vote seen as wiser and more experienced
   • House of Representatives: 2-year terms must be at least 25 years old must be a citizen for at least 7 years lower house responsiveness to the changing wishes of the voters census taken every 10 years to determine population
   • Makes the laws
     • any member of House or Senate can propose new law, called a bill (only House can propose new taxes) majority in one house approves, it is sent to other house. If both approve, it is sent to the president Bill becomes law when president signs it
   • Approves spending for laws and programs
   • Establishes federal courts
   • Approves treaties and executive appointments
   • Declare war
   • Raise an army or navy
   • Pay government debts
   • Grant citizenship

2. Executive Branch

   • Members: President Vice PresidentDepartments (FDA, USDA, etc.)Cabinet Members
   • Electoral College selects president 4-year terms 2 term limit makes solemn promise called oath of office must be natural-born citizen must be at least 35 years old nothing in the Constitution prevents a woman from becoming president
   • Enforces the laws
     • Examples: Congress approves a tax; Executive collects money Congress sets money aside for low-cost housing; Executive builds and manages housing
   • Acts as commander in chief of the military
   • negotiates treaties
   • Appoints federal judges and other top officials
     • appoints Supreme Court justices and recommends ambassadors
   • Grant pardons

3. Judicial Branch

   • Members: Supreme Court -Supreme Court Justices Federal courts and judges
   • Supreme Court: Decisions are final Binding on all lower courts Judicial Review - the power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches are constitutional
   • Interprets the laws
     • Protect the Constitution
   • Reviews lower-court decisions
   • Rules on cases between states
   • Judges whether laws and executive actions are constitutional