The Branches of Government

Articles I,II,III

Seven Articles • The Constitution contains seven divisions called Articles. • Each article covers a general topic

– Article 1 – establishes the legislative branch– Article 2 – creates an executive branch – Article 3 – establishes a Supreme Court and jurisdiction, authority. – Article 4 – explains the relationship of states to one another and to

the national government – Article 5 – spells out the ways that the Constitution can be

amended, or changed. – Article 6 – contains the supremacy clause – establishes the

constitution – Article 7 – addresses addressing ratification and declares that the

constitution would take effect after it was ratified by nine states.

Legislative Branch Article I

• United States Congress is part of this branch• Congress is made up of 2 house:– House of Representatives– Senate

• Main goal of this branch is to make laws• Members are elected by the people

House of Representatives

• Made up of 435 members• Number of representatives determined by

state’s population• Members are elected every 2 years• Must be at least 25 years old• Must be a U.S. citizen for 7 years prior• Must live in the state they are representing

The Senate

• 2 from every state (100 total)• Elected every 6 years• Must be at least 30 years old• Must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years prior• Must live in the state they represent

What Congressmen Do

• The House initiates revenue bills• The House impeaches Federal officials• The House elects the president in case of a tie

in the electoral college• The Senate tries impeachment cases• The Senate confirms presidential

appointments

Making Laws

• House of Representatives must pass the Bill with majority rule

• The Senate must do the same• President will either pass (sign) or veto the bill• Congress can override the veto with a 2/3

majority in both the Senate and House

Questions?

• What is the main job of the Legislative branch?

• Make the laws

Questions?

• What are the two parts of Congress?• Senate and House of Representatives

Questions?

• How long is the term for the Senate?• 6 years• How long is the term for the House of

Representatives?• 2 years

The Judicial BranchArticle III

• Supreme Court heads the Judicial Branch• The Court is run by Justices (9) with one of them

being the Chief Justice (Roberts)• The Supreme Court make decisions on Legal

Cases involving the Constitution• Members are appointed by the President• Main goal is to make sure all laws and actions

by the Executive and Legislative branches are Constitutional

The Supreme Court

• Only court established by the Constitution• All other courts set up by Legislative Branch• They determine if federal, state, and local

governments are acting with the law (Constitution)

• All decisions are final

Supreme Court Justices

• Nine Judges (Justices) on the court• One Chief Justice and eight associate Justices• All are appointed by the president with

approval by the Senate• No age requirement• Justices remain in office for life or until they

resign, die, or are impeached and removed.

Questions?

• How many Justices serve on the Supreme Court?

• Nine

Questions?

• What is the main job of the Judicial Branch?• Determine Constitutionality of laws passed

by Congress

Executive BranchArticle II

• The head of this branch is the President• His job is to enforce the laws• The President’s Cabinet is also part of this branch– Made up of 15 departments– President’s closest advisors (confidants)– Ex: Department of Education, Department of Defense

• Federal Agencies help in enforcing the laws– Ex: TSA (Transportation Security Administration), EPA

( Environmental Protection Agency)

The President• Commander in Chief• Elected by the people

and electoral college• Must be at least 35• Must be a natural born

U.S. citizen• Must have lived in the

U.S. for 14 years• Serves 4 year terms• Can be re-elected for a

2nd term

• Barack Obama(2009/2012)

The Vice President

• Second in command• Takes over if something

happens to the president

• President chooses the Vice President

• Elected by the Electoral College

• Is the president of the Senate

• Joe Biden

Questions?

• Name 2 of the criteria to become President of the Unites States:

• Must be at least 35• Must be a natural born citizen• Must live in the U.S. for 14 years.

Questions?

• Who is the President of the Senate?• The Vice-President (currently Joe Biden)

Questions?

• How does the government make sure that one branch does not become too powerful?

• Checks and Balances

Questions?

• Name one Checks and Balance?• Executive Branch can veto laws made by the

Legislative Branch• The Legislative Branch can reject

appointments made by the President• The Judicial Branch can declare actions of the

Executive or Legislative Branches unconstitutional