Branches of Government = Separation of Powers

1. Branches of Government = Separation of Powers

2. The Legislative Branch: The US Congress Bicameral legislature: having 2 houses in Congress

3. The House of Representatives Representatives must: Be at least 25 years old. Be a U.S. citizen for the past 7 years. Live in the state they represent The HOR is based on the number of people living in a state. Each state is guaranteed 1 member. Each representative represents an area known as a congressional district. There are 435 members in the US House of Representatives.

4. Special House Powers • The House has special jobs that only it can do. It can: • Start laws that make people pay taxes. • Decide if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate if s/he commits a crime against the country.

5. The Senate Senators must: Be at least 30 years old. Be a U.S. citizen for the past 9 years. Live in the state they represent Each state has 2 members in the US Senate. That means that all states are equal. A Senator’s term is 6 years.

6. Special Senate Powers • The Senate has special jobs that only it can do. It can: • Say yes or no to any treaties the president makes. • Say yes or no to any people the president recommends for jobs, such as cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, and ambassadors. • Can hold a trial for a government official who does something very wrong.

7. National vs. State Government Federalism: The idea that both the state & national government have powers. http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism.html

8. Exclusive Powers of the National Government and State Governments Expressed or Enumerated Powers = National Reserved Powers = State http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism2.html

9. Shared or Concurrent Powers • Collect taxes • Build roads • Borrow money • Establish courts • Make and enforce laws • Charter banks and corporations • Spend money for the general welfare • Take private property for public purposes, with just compensation

10. Powers Denied to the National Government and State Governments = Limited Government • Grant titles of nobility • Permit slavery (13th Amendment) • Deny citizens the right to vote due to race, color, or previous servitude (15th Amendment) • Deny citizens the right to vote because of gender (19th Amendment http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism3.html

11. Role on the Job • Trustee – the people ‘trust’ that the official will vote in the constituent’s best interests • Partisan – the official acts as a member of his/her political party and votes with the party • Politico – the official votes partially as a ‘trustee’ and partially as a ‘partisan’ to COMPROMISE and get work done

12. Salary as of 2012 • President Pro-tempore: $223,500 ?? • Regular Senator: $174,000 • Majority/Minority leaders: $193,400 • Speaker of the House: $223,500Regular Representative: $174,000 • Majority/Minority leaders: $193,400

13. Non Salary Benefits & Privileges • Franking Privilege, tax break on maintaining 2 homes • Medical care, office space, retirement plan, gyms, travel allowance