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THE THREE BRANCHES

THE THREE BRANCHES. OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. The League of Women Voters. Nonpartisan, but political Established: 1920 1972: Men accepted Educate & Advocate. The Legislative Branch. Confirms or rejects Presidential appointments Makes laws and passes taxes Authorized to declare war.

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THE THREE BRANCHES

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  1. THE THREE BRANCHES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

  2. The League of Women Voters • Nonpartisan, but political • Established: 1920 • 1972: Men accepted • Educate & Advocate

  3. The Legislative Branch • Confirms or rejects Presidential appointments • Makes laws and passes taxes • Authorized to declare war

  4. U.S. Congress has two bodies House of Representatives = 435 members Senate = 100 members • Number proportional to state population • 2-year terms with no term limits • 2 U.S. Senators per state • 6-year terms with no term limits

  5. The Executive Branch • Includes the President and Vice President • The President’s Cabinet • Executive departments, independent agencies, boards, commissions, and committees

  6. Eligibility for office of U.S. President • Natural-born citizen of the U. S. • 35 years of age • Resident of U.S. for 14 years

  7. U.S. Presidency line of succession No.Office 1 Vice President 2 Speaker of the House of Representatives 3 President Pro Tempore of the Senate 4 Secretary of State 5 Secretary of the Treasury 6 Secretary of Defense 7 Attorney General 8 Secretary of the Interior 9 Secretary of Agriculture 10 Secretary of Commerce 11 Secretary of Labor 12 Secretary of Health and Human Services • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development • Secretary of Transportation 15 Secretary of Energy

  8. Powers of the President • Veto/enact federal legislation • Make treaties • Commander-in-Chief • Grant reprieves and pardons • Appoint Federal judges, ambassadors and other high officials • Issue Executive Orders

  9. The Cabinet Cabinet officers are key advisors to the President Attorney General Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Education Secretary of Defense Secretary of Energy Secretary of Health & Human Services Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Secretary of State Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Labor Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Treasury

  10. The Judicial Branch • Federal courtsystem • Three main levels: • District courts (Trial courts) • Circuit courts (Courts of Appeal) • Supreme Court of the United States

  11. Moving a Case to a Higher Court . Dissatisfied parties appeal trial court ruling to higher court Federal District Court Federal Court of Appeals

  12. How a Case Gets to the Supreme Court . Federal Court of Appeals Federal District Court State Supreme Court State Court of Appeals U.S. Supreme Court State Trial Court

  13. The Supreme Court • Highest court in the nation • Comprised of nine Justices • Decides: • Constitutionality of federal laws • Disputes between states • Appeals involving federal questions • In session October to late June/early July

  14. How judges traditionally are chosen VACANCY ANNOUNCED

  15. How judges traditionally are chosen Home senators send names to PRESIDENT VACANCY ANNOUNCED

  16. How judges traditionally are chosen President Makes nomination Home senators send names to PRESIDENT VACANCY ANNOUNCED

  17. How judges traditionally are chosen President Makes nomination Home senators send names to PRESIDENT VACANCY ANNOUNCED BLUE SLIPS TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

  18. How judges traditionally are chosen President Makes nomination Home senators send names to PRESIDENT VACANCY ANNOUNCED Senate judiciary Committee Hearing & Vote BLUE SLIPS TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

  19. How judges traditionally are chosen President Makes nomination Home senators send names to PRESIDENT VACANCY ANNOUNCED FULL Senate debate & vote Senate judiciary Committee Hearing & Vote BLUE SLIPS TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

  20. How judges traditionally are chosen President Makes nomination Home senators send names to PRESIDENT VACANCY ANNOUNCED FULL Senate debate & vote Senate judiciary Committee Hearing & Vote BLUE SLIPS TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CONFIRMATION

  21. Recent changes to the process REUTERS

  22. Justices of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The Justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the President and must be approved by the Senate.

  23. Court Decision Process 4 Justices must vote to grant a review Parties argue the case before the Court Majority opinion becomes the Court’s decision Justices vote and write their opinions

  24. Checks and Balances The Congress The President • Confirms or rejects the President's appointments • Can remove the President from office in exceptional circumstances • Can veto laws passed by Congress

  25. Checks and Balances The Supreme Court • Can overturn unconstitutional laws • Can reverse unconstitutional Presidential actions

  26. THANK YOU! Questions? PowerPoint created by Christene Campbell-Gabor Chair, Civics Education Committee League of Women Voters of PALM BEACH COUNTY

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