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United States government. Words to Know. Constitution Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch President Governor Supreme Court Court of Appeals Juvenile Justice System. The U.S. Constitution.
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Words to Know • Constitution • Executive Branch • Legislative Branch • Judicial Branch • President • Governor • Supreme Court • Court of Appeals • Juvenile Justice System
The U.S. Constitution • Written in 1787, it outlines the plan of government for the United States of America. • Three different “branches”, of the government were established, Legislative, Executive and Judicial • These three branches have separate roles and responsibilities, but are equal in their importance and power.
The legislative branch • The Constitution created Congress. • Congress has two parts: The Senate and The House of Representatives. • The main duty of the Legislative branch is to make laws.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS • HOUSE – 435 • SENATE - 100 • NUMBER OF MEMBERS FROM EACH STATE • HOUSE - Based on the state population. • SENATE - Equal number for each state; two per state. • QUALIFICATIONS • HOUSE - At least 25 years of age, citizen for 7 years, and a resident of state where elected. • SENATE - At least 30 years of age, citizen for 9 years, and a resident for the state where elected.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • LENGTH OF ONE TERM IN OFFICE • HOUSE - 2 years • SENATE - 6 years • PRESIDING OFFICERS • HOUSE - Speaker of the House; elected by members of the House. • SENATE - Vice-President of the U.S.; named President of the Senate. President pro tempore; elected by members of Senate.
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • POWERS • Pass bills • Raise, borrow and coin money • Declare war
Saxby Chambliss John Boehner Johnny Isakson
Graphic Organizer US Government Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch • The main executive officers are the President and Vice-President. • They are assisted by a group of advisors, called the Cabinet, who help in running the federal government. • The main duty of the Executive branch is to carry out laws. This means to put laws into action.
The Executive Branch • LENGTH OF ONE TERM • 4 years • MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TERMS • No more than two full terms
The Executive Branch • QUALIFICATIONS • Natural (native) born citizen • At least 35 years of age • Resident for the U.S for at least 14 years • ORDER OF SUCCESSION TO PRESIDENCY: • Vice President • Speaker of the House • President pro tempore of the Senate
The Executive Branch • SPECIAL POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT: • Commander in chief of the armed forces • Grant pardons and reprieves in federal cases • Must give State of the Union Address once a year • Call special sessions of Congress
Graphic Organizer US Government Executive Branch Legislative Branch
The Judicial branch • The main judicial body is the Supreme Court which is the highest court in the land. • There are two levels of lower courts, including the District Court and the Courts of Appeals. • The main duty of the Judicial branch is to interpret laws. • This means to explain what laws mean.
The Judicial branch • MAIN COURTS • Highest: Supreme Court • Middle: Courts of Appeals • Lowest: District Courts • NUMBER OF COURTS • Supreme Court: 1 • Courts of Appeals: 11 • District Courts: 90
The Judicial branch • MAIN DUTIES • Supreme Court: To decide if laws are constitutional. • Courts of Appeals: To rehear cases from lower courts. • District Courts: To decide cases involving federal laws.
The Judicial branch • THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION APPLIES ONLY TO THE SUPREME COURT: • NUMBER OF JUSTICES: Nine • PRESIDING OFFICER: Chief Justice • TERM OF OFFICE: For life on good behavior. • May be removed only through impeachment process. • May resign voluntarily.
The Judicial branch • APPOINTED BY: • The President • APPROVED BY: • A majority vote of the Senate. • SPECIAL POWERS: • To review and reverse decisions of lower courts. • To declare laws unconstitutional, or not legal according to the constitution.
Graphic Organizer US Government Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch