GOVERNMENT IN THE U.S.

1. Main parts of the U. S. Constitution

a. Preamble: goals of the gov’t.1. form a more perfect union,2. establish justice3. insure domestic tranquility4. provide for the common defense5. promote the general welfare,6. secure the blessing of liberty

b. Article 1 - Legislative Branch

c. Article 2 - Executive Branch

d. Article 3 - Judicial Branch

e. Article 4 - Interstate Relations

f. Article 5 - Amendment Process

g. Article 6 - Supremacy Clause

h. Article 7 - Ratification

i. Amendments 1-10 - Bill of Rights

j. Amendments 11-27

2. The Three branches:

a. Legislative:1. method of electing members2. qualifications3. terms of office4. procedure for making laws5. powers

b. Executive:1. presidential powers2. term of office3. method of election4. method of removal

c. Judicial Branch1. term of office2. congress’s power to establish new courts3. jurisdiction - responsibilities of each court

2. Principles of the U.S. Constitution:

a. Federalism - political union with a strong central government with some power shared among smaller components.

1. division of power - more power given to Central Government

2. Delegated powers - powers listed in the Constitution for the Central

Government.

3. Reserved powers - those given to the states

(Amendment 10)

4. Concurrent powers - those given to both the

central government and the states

5. Denied powers - those powers the government does not have

6. Implied powers - not specifically mentioned butbroadly hinted at in the Constitution

b. Separation of Powers: three branches

1. legislative branch - makes the laws

2. executive branch - enforces the laws

3. judicial branch - interprets the laws

Purpose is to eliminate one branch from having too much power.

c. Checks and Balances

1. Definition and Purpose: allows eachbranch to counter the powers of the other two so that no one branch becomestoo powerful.

3. Congress

a. Bicameral organization – two houses1. requirements for each house

a. House:

b. Senate:

b. Terms and membership:1. House: 435 members - elected every two years

2. Senate: 100 members - elected every six years

3. The Congressa. Bicameral Organization - two house

1. requirements:a. Senate:

1. 30 years of age2. 9 years a citizen3. resident of state

b. House of Representatives1. 25 years of age2. 7 years a citizen3. resident of district you represent

2. Apportionment of seats in House of Representatives is based on the census taken every 10 years to determine population changes. (reapportionment)

3. Special powers and rules of the Senate:a. Approve all treaties by 2/3 voteb. Approve all appointments with

51% vote.c. Try cases of impeachmentd. Choose V. Pres., if Electoral

College doesn’t.

Rules on debate:filibuster: unlimited speaking to debate a bill sometimes to kill the law.

4. Special Powers of the House:a. All money bills originate in Houseb. Impeach the Presidentc. Choose Pres. if Electoral College

doesn’t.

Debate is strictly regulated because of thesize of the House of Representatives.

b. Powers of Congress - 18 delegated powers1. elastic clause: (implied powers)

Article 1, section 8, clause 18-Congress may make all lawsnecessary to carry out the other 17 powers.

2. Limits on Power – Article 1, section 9a. No tax on exportsb. No titles of nobilityc. No suspending habeas corpusd. No ex post facto lawse. No bills of attainder

c. How a bill becomes a law:

d. Influence of pressure groups1. Group Action – Lobbyists

(paid professional representinga particular interest group)

Examples:

Must file financial records and register with Federal Gov’t.

2. Individual action – a. Write lettersb. Call representatives