The Government of the United States of America

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3 Branches of Government

The Constitution divided the United States Government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branch

Each has its own responsibilities, but they work together through a system of checks and balances

Constitution

The document which establishes the basic principles of the American government and way of life

Written in 1787 by our country’s founding fathers

Checks and Balances

Limits imposed on all branches of the government by giving each the right to amend acts of the other branches– ex. The President can veto a bill that both

chambers of congress have passed– ex. The Supreme Court can rule that a law

passed by congress is unconstitutional

Back to 3 Branches

The legislative branch, also known as congress, is made up of the House of Representatives and the SenateThe executive branch consists of the President, the vice president, and the presidential cabinetThe judicial branch is the federal court system

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The Legislative Branch

House of Representatives– 435 members

Senate– 100 members

Primary job is to draft and pass new legislation (bills and amendments)

The Executive Branch

The President of the United States

Primary purposes:– Commander and Chief of the military– Signs legislation into law– Dictates foreign and domestic policies

The Judicial Branch

The federal court system, including the Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Court

Primary purposes are to evaluate the constitutionality and proper application of laws– District courts deal with criminal cases

So what are bills, amendments, and laws?

Bill - Public bills deal with general questions and become Public Laws, or Acts, if approved by Congress and signed by the President. Private bills deal with individual matters such as claims against the Federal Government, immigration and naturalization cases, land titles, et cetera, and become private laws if approved and signed

What are bills, amendments and laws, cont.

Amendment - A proposal by a Member to alter the language or provisions of a bill or act. It is voted on in the same manner as a bill. (Constitution Article 5, two thirds of each house of Congress must approve a proposed amendment and three fourths of the states thereafter ratify it)

Law - a bill that has been signed into effect by the President

Let’s make a bill

Work with your table group to create a bill

Submit the bill to a neighboring group who will vote on it

If bill passes, take it to the president for signing

Resources

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html

http://www.usconstitution.net/constkidsK.html

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/lawmaking/