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Government Structure

Government Structure. An Overview. How is the Federal Government Structured?. 3 branches Legislative Executive Judicial. 3 branches Congress President Supreme Court. Good sources: Ben’ s Guide and Wikipedia. Legislative Branch.

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Government Structure

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  1. Government Structure An Overview

  2. How is the Federal Government Structured? 3 branches • Legislative • Executive • Judicial 3 branches • Congress • President • Supreme Court Good sources: Ben’s Guide and Wikipedia

  3. Legislative Branch • Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate • House of Representative • 435 members (up to 1 per 30,000 of the population) • 5 non-voting members from U.S. territories • One representative from each congressional district • The number of representatives per state is based on the state’s population based on the census • 2-year term • No term limits • Must be 25 and a citizen for 7 years before running for office. Must live in the state they represent.

  4. Legislative Branch • Senate • Two representatives from each state • 6-year term (1/3 up for election every 2 years) • No term limits • Must be 30 and a citizen for 9 years before running for office. Must live in the state they represent. • Find your Congressmen • State representative: House.gov • Senators: Senate.gov

  5. Legislative Branch • Write legislation (laws), debate and pass legislation • Some deal with taxes and appropriations (how money is spent) • Approves the making of new money • Federal criminal laws • Can declare war

  6. Legislative Branch • How does it work? Source: House.gov • Both houses are equal, but generally bills are introduced and voted on by the House first. If they successfully pass the house, they are passed to the Senate. • There are also • Joint resolutions between both branches • Concurrent resolutions • Simple resolutions

  7. Executive Branch • President • Leads country (Chief of the Government) and is the “Commander in Chief” of the military • Must be 35, born in the U.S., and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. • 4-year terms • 2-terms maximum • The President has a Cabinet to help stay up-to-date and make decisions. More at Ben’s Guide • Vice President: President of the Senate and becomes President if the President can no longer do the job. • Departments: Department heads advise the President on issues and help carry out policies. • Independent Agencies: Help carry out policy or provide special services.

  8. Executive Branch What does the President do? • Approves or veto's laws from Congress • Appoints the heads of federal agencies • Federal Reserve Chairman • Cabinet members More at Ben’s Guide • Appoints the Federal Justices What does the Vice-President do? • Prepare to be President • President of the Senate • Casts the deciding vote in the case of a tie More information at: whitehouse.gov

  9. Order of succession •The Vice President Joseph Biden •Speaker of the House John Boehner •President pro tempore of the Senate1 Patrick Leahy •Secretary of State John Kerry •Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew •Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel •Attorney General Eric Holder •Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel •Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack •Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker •Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez •Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius •Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan •Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx •Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz •Secretary of Education Arne Duncan •Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki •Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers (acting)

  10. Judicial Branch • 9 Supreme Court Justices • Highest court in the country • Lower courts can appeal to higher courts • Selected by the current President • Confirmed by the Senate • Main job is to interpret the U.S. Constitution • Can amend the Constitution • No requirements • Lifetime term • Website: SupremeCourt.gov

  11. Pennsylvania Executive Branch • Governor Tom Corbett • Re-elected in even years (2014) • Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley • Re-elected in even years (2014) • Attorney General Kathleen Kane • Auditor General Eugene DePasquale • State Treasurer Rob McCord

  12. Pennsylvania Departments • Department of Transportation • Department of Health • Department of Education • Office of Consumer Advocate • Office of General Counsel • Insurance Department • Office of Public Liaison • Office of Victim Advocate • State Library • Department of Corrections • Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council • Pennsylvania Lottery • Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency • State Parks • VisitPA.com • Department of Aging • Department of Agriculture • Department of Banking • Department of Conservation and Natural Resources • Department of Environmental Protection • Department of General Services • Department of Labor and Industry • Department of Military and Veterans Affairs • Department of Public Welfare • Department of Revenue • Department of State • Pennsylvania State Police • Department of Community and Economic Development • Office for Information Technology • Office of Administration • Office of the Budget

  13. Pennsylvania Legislature • General Assembly • 50 Senators • 203 Representatives • Judicial Branch • 60 judicial districts with magisterial district judges (formerly called district justices and justices of the peace), who preside mainly over minor criminal offenses and small civil claims • Judges serve 10-year terms

  14. Local Government When you go to vote, you will find local offices have elected officials as well. Some examples are: • Tax collector • School board members • Coroner • Sherriff • Mayor Find your representative: Legis.state.pa.us

  15. League of Women Voters This organization is an excellent source for election news and information. League of Women Voters Websites • National: http://www.lwv.org/ • PA: http://www.palwv.org/ • Monroe: http://monroe.palwv.org/

  16. Review Questions You are going to hand these in today. • Who is your State Representative in Washington, and what political party does s/he represent? House.gov • Who are your Senators in Washington and what political party to they represent? Senate.gov • Who is the Pennsylvania Governor and what political party does s/he represent? Portal.state.pa.us/ • Who is your PA House Representative and what political party does s/he represent? Legis.state.pa.us

  17. Review Questions Look at the Voter’s Guide on the Monroe County League of Women Voters’ Website. • How can you obtain an absentee ballot? • How do they ask you to extend the term of a Pennsylvania Justice? In other words, what are the choices you can select? • What do you need to bring with you if you are voting for the first time? • How many years does the Monroe County Sherriff serve per term?

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