U.S. National Government

1. U.S. National Government Lesson 5, Chapter 6

2. Motivation • The role of each branch of our government is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. • The government has also had to adapt to changes over time. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

3. Lesson overview • What is the function of the legislative branch? • When does Congress meet? • What are the two parts of Congress? • What are the roles of congressional leaders? Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

4. Lesson overview (cont’d) • What is the function of congressional committees? • What types of bills does Congress consider? • How does a bill become a law? • What is the function of the executive branch? Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

5. Lesson overview (cont’d) • What are the requirements for the presidency? • How is the president elected? • How is the vice president elected? • What are the rules for presidential succession? Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

6. Lesson overview (cont’d) • What is the function of the judicial branch? • What is the basic structure of the federal court system? • What types of cases are heard in federal courts? • What is the function of U.S. district courts? Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

7. Lesson overview (cont’d) • What is the function of U.S. courts of appeals? • How are federal judges selected? • Which other court officials work in each federal judicial district? • What is the function of the Supreme Court? Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

8. Quick Write Make a list of things you know about our U.S. government, including Congress, the president, and the federal court system. As you read, see how many facts from your list you can find in this lesson. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

9. What is the function of the legislative branch? • Legislative branch has 535 members. • Primary role is to make new laws and address issues. • Elected representatives are known as members of Congress. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

10. When does Congress meet? • Each term of Congress • Starts on January 3 in odd-numbered years • Lasts for two years • Is divided into two sessions • Congress may also meet in special sessions. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

11. What are the two parts of Congress? • At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the delegates decided that Congress would be a bicameral body. • The two parts of Congress became the House of Representatives and the Senate. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

12. What are the two parts of Congress? (cont’d) • House of Representatives • Larger body of Congress • 435 voting members, allotted to the states according to population • One representative for each district in a state • Two-year terms • Focusing on concerns in individual districts Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

13. What are the two parts of Congress? (cont’d) • Senate • 100 members, 2 from each state • Each senator represents entire state • Terms of 6 years • No more than one-third of senators up for reelection at same time Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

14. What are the roles of Congressional leaders? • At beginning of each term, party members in each house choose leaders. • Speaker of the House • Is most powerful leader within the House of Representatives • Steers legislation • Takes charge of floor debates • Is in line of presidential succession Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

15. What are the roles of congressional leaders? (cont’d) • Senate has no leader with power comparable to that of the Speaker of the House. • The presiding officer, the vice president, rarely attends Senate debates and votes only in case of a tie. • The acting chairperson of the Senate is the president pro-tempore. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

16. What are the roles of congressional leaders? (cont’d) • Floor leaders • In the Senate: the real leaders • In the House: most powerful besides the Speaker • Speak for their parties on issues • Push bills along • Try to sway votes • Party “whips” • Help the floor leaders Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

17. What is the function of congressional committees? • Detailed work of lawmaking is done in committee. • Standingcommittees—permanent committees that continue their work from session to session • Select committees—committees created to do a special job for a limited period Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

18. What is the function of congressional committees? (cont’d) • Joint committees—committees that include members of both houses • Conference committees—temporary committees that help the House and Senate agree on the details of proposed laws Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

19. What is the function of congressional committees? (cont’d) • Leaders of political parties make committee assignments. They consider members’ • Preferences • Expertise • Loyalty • Seniority Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

20. What is the function of congressional committees? (cont’d) • Longest-serving committee member from majority party usually becomes chairperson. • A chairperson of a standing committee decides • When and if a committee will meet • What bills will be studied • Who will serve on which subcommittees Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

21. What types of bills does Congress consider? • Private bills concern individual people or places. • Public bills apply to the entire nation and involve general matters. • Congress also considers resolutions. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

22. How does a bill become a law? • Every bill starts with an idea. • Sources include • Members of Congress • Private citizens • The White House • Special-interest groups Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

23. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d) • Only senators and representatives can introduce bills. • Every bill is given a title and number. • The bill is sent to the appropriate standing committee. • The chairperson of the committee decides if the bill merits attention. • Standing committees have life-and-death power over bills. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

24. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d) • Bills approved in committee are considered by the full House or Senate. • Bills are put on calendars in chronological order. • The Rules Committee controls the House schedule. • When bills reach the floor, members debate the pros and cons. • They may also discuss amendments. • The Senate allows riders to be tacked onto a bill. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

25. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d) • In the House, the Rules Committee sets the terms for debate. • Senate has fewer rules. • No limit on time • No requirement to address topic • Can filibuster • Can end filibuster with cloture Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

26. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d) • Members of Congress may vote on a law in several ways: • Voice vote • Standing vote • Computerized voting system • Roll-call vote (Senate) Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

27. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d) • A simple majority of all members that are present is needed to pass a bill. • If a bill passes in one house, it is sent to the other. • If either house rejects a bill, it dies. • The Senate and House must pass a bill in identical form. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

28. How does a bill become a law? (cont’d) • After both houses of Congress approve a bill, it goes to the president. • Four possibilities • President signs bill, and it becomes law. • President vetoes bill. • President does nothing for ten days. • Result depends on whether Congress is in session. • Congress can override a presidential veto. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

29. What is the function of the executive branch? • The president heads the executive branch. • The presidency is the top political job in the country. • The president is considered to hold the most important job in the world. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

30. What are the requirements for the presidency? • To become president, a person must be • At least 35 years old • A native-born American citizen • A resident of the United States for at least 14 years • Most U.S. presidents have shared certain characteristics. • Only in the past few decades has the presidency become a possibility for a broader group of Americans. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

31. How is the president elected? • Presidential elections take place every four years. • The Constitution did not provide for direct popular election of the president. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

32. How is the president elected? (cont’d) • To elect a president, the United States uses an indirect method called the Electoral College. • Each state appoints electors. • They will vote for one of the major candidates. • When people vote for a candidate, they are voting for the electors pledged to that candidate. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

33. How is the president elected? (cont’d) • Each state has as many electoral votes as the total of its U.S. senators and representatives. • The Electoral College includes 538 electors. • To be elected president or vice president, a candidate must win at least 270 electoral votes. • The formal election by the Electoral College takes place in December. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

34. How is the president elected? (cont’d) • Presidents serve four-year terms. • Originally, Constitution had no term limits. • The Twenty-second Amendment, ratified in 1951, now limits each president to two elected terms in office. • The president receives a salary and benefits. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

35. How is the vice president elected? (cont’d) • Vice president is elected with president through Electoral College. • Same qualifications as presidency • Constitution gives little authority to vice president • Becomes president if president dies, is removed from office, is seriously ill, resigns Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

36. What are the rules for presidential succession? • Original wording of Constitution for presidential succession unclear • 1947: Presidential Succession Act • 1967: Adoption of 25th Amendment to answer remaining questions • Amendment has been used only three times. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

37. What is the function of the judicial branch? • Federal courts make up the third branch of the U.S. government: the judicial branch. • Courts use the law to • Settle civil disputes • Decide on guilt or innocence of people accused of crimes Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

38. What is the function of the judicial branch? (cont’d) • In a civil dispute, two sides come before a court. • Two private parties • A private party and the government • The United States and a state or local government • Each side presents its position. • The court uses the law to make a decision in favor of one side or the other. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

39. What is the function of the judicial branch? (cont’d) • Courts also hold criminal trials. • Witnesses present evidence. • Jury or judge delivers verdict. • Our legal system is based on the ideal of equal justice under the law. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

40. What is the basic structure of the federal court system? • Founders created the federal court system in Article III of the Constitution. • Established a national Supreme Court • Gave Congress power to establish lower federal courts • Congress has created two kinds of lower courts. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

41. What is the basic structure of the federal court system? (cont’d) • Today, federal court system has three levels: • Supreme Court • Appeals courts • District courts • Federal court system exists alongside 50 separate state court systems. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

42. What types of cases are heard in federal courts? • Federal courts have jurisdiction over • Cases involving the Constitution • Violations of federal laws • Controversies between states • Disputes between parties from different states • Suits involving the federal government • Cases involving foreign governments and treaties • Cases based on admiralty and maritime laws • Cases involving U.S. diplomats Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

43. What types of cases are heard in federal courts? (cont’d) • For most of the areas just described, federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. • State courts have jurisdiction over all other matters. • Most court cases involve state law. • Rarely, a case can be heard in either a state or federal court—concurrent jurisdiction. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

44. What is the function of U.S. district courts? • Most federal cases are handled in the 94 district courts. • All federal cases must begin in a district court. They have original jurisdiction. • District courts try both criminal and civil federal cases. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

45. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals? • U.S. courts of appeals • Also known as federal appeals courts, circuit courts of appeals, or appellate courts • Review decisions of lower district courts • Circuit courts (12) each cover a specific area. • A thirteenth appeals court has nationwide jurisdiction to hear special cases. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

46. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals? (cont’d) • Appeals courts do not hold trials. • They may decide an appeal by • Upholding the original decision • Reversing the decision • Remanding the case Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

47. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals? (cont’d) • Appeals-court judges do not decide • Guilt or innocence of defendant in criminal case • Which side should win in a civil lawsuit • Appeals-court judges do decide • Whether defendant’s rights have been protected • Whether defendant received a fair trial Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

48. What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals? (cont’d) • In most cases, the decision of the appeals court is final. • When an appeals court makes a decision, one judge writes an opinion for the court. • Detailed explanation of legal thinking behind decision • Sets a precedent within district Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

49. How are federal judges selected? • Federal judges are chief decision makers in judicial branch. • More than 550 judges preside over district courts. • Each appeals court has 6–27 judges. • Supreme Court has 9 justices. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

50. How are federal judges selected? • President appoints federal judges, with approval of Senate. • President usually follows senatorial courtesy. • Applies mainly to selection of judges for district courts and other trial courts • Federal judges may have their jobs for life, unless they are removed through impeachment. Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government