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United States Government Basics

United States Government Basics. Bicameral Legislature. Legislative Branch. Congress. Both houses must approve all legislation before the president can sign it Can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote Majority rule for most votes. Congress (cont.).

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United States Government Basics

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  1. United States Government Basics

  2. Bicameral Legislature Legislative Branch

  3. Congress • Both houses must approve all legislation before the president can sign it • Can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote • Majority rule for most votes

  4. Congress (cont.) • Majority Party controls schedule in each house • Speaker of the House most powerful member of Congress

  5. Senate • 100 members – 2 per state • At least 30 years old • 9 years US citizen • Resident of state elected from

  6. Senate Powers • Confirms presidential appointments like federal judges and Cabinet members • Holds impeachment trials • Approves all treaties with foreign governments

  7. House of Representatives • 435 members • Minimum of 1 per state • At least 25 years old • 7 years US citizen • Resident of state and district elected from

  8. House Powers • Starts all bill that call for spending of money • Starts impeachment proceedings • Breaks ties in Electoral College

  9. Executive Branch

  10. President • Must be at least 35 • Natural born citizen • 14 years residency in the US • Can serve only 2 terms (22nd Amendment) • These apply to VP also

  11. President as Chief Executive • Develops federal policy • Enforces the law • Appoints federal officials • Prepares the national budget

  12. President’s Role • Commander-in-Chief of the military • Makes foreign policy • Chief of State • Symbolic representative of the nation • Annual State of the Union address

  13. President’s Powers • Enforces federal laws • Grants reprieves and pardon • Appoints federal judges, ambassadors, Cabinet members • Make treaties • Can veto legislation

  14. Judicial Branch • Supreme Court only court created by the Constitution • All other federal courts created by Congress • All federal judges appointed by president and approved by Senate

  15. Supreme Court • No stated requirements for office, but usually experience as a lawyer or lower federal judge • Lifetime appointment • 9 members

  16. Supreme Court Powers • Final say on cases involving federal law • Final say on cases involving 2 or more states • Cases involving foreign ambassadors

  17. Supreme Court (cont) • Decides issues of Constitutional law • Most cases come on appeal from a lower federal court • Cases can be appealed from a state court • Decisions by majority vote • Decisions are final

  18. Supreme Court (cont.) • Greatest Power is Judicial Review • Supreme Court has final say on what is and is not constitutional

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