The Three Branches of the United States Government

DO NOW

• Think of a specific time you have abused

power or someone you know has abused

power.

• Why do we have a Constitution? (hint:

think of our role play activity and the

previous question you just answered)

OUR GOVERNMENT

• Constitution:

– a document that

gives power to

the government

and rights to the

people

OUR GOVERNMENT

• Checks and Balances – a system that prevents any part of government (branch) from becoming too powerful; each of the branches can limit powers of the others.

• EX) Congress makes bills that the president signs into law

• The Constitution divides power among three parts or “branches” of government to ensure no one branch has all the power. – Article 1 = legislative

– Article 2 = executive

– Article 3 = judicial

Legislative Branch

• (Makes Laws)Division of the government

that proposes and passes bills (includes

the House of Representatives and the

Senate)

Executive Branch

• (ENFORCES LAWS)Division of

government that includes the president

and administrators; enforces laws.

Judicial Branch

• (INTERPRETS LAWS)Division of

government made up of courts; in charge

of the court system; interprets laws,

punishes criminals and settles disputes

(The Supreme Court is the highest court in

the United States)

SUMMARY OF BRANCHES

Supreme Court -

reviews laws

Senate and House of Reps-

make laws

President -

makes laws into reality

Legislative Branch – Congress

MAKES LAWS

Legislative – Congress

• House of Representatives 1. Reps serve 2 yrs

2. A Rep must be 25 yrs old & a citizen for 7 yrs

3. Can suggest tax laws

4. Can impeach the president

Legislative – Congress

• Senate 5. Senators serve a 6 yr term

6. A Senator must be 30 yrs old and a citizen for 9 yrs

7. Can approve presidential appointments

8. Approves treaties with foreign powers

9. Can put the president on trial after impeachment

Legislative – Congress • Both the House and Senate together 10. Can propose laws 11. Can declare war 12. Can override the president’s veto with

a 2/3 vote 13. Can propose amendments to the

Constitution with a 2/3 vote

Executive Branch – the President

ENFORCES LAWS

Executive – the President, Vice President and Cabinet

14. The President serves a four year term.

15.The President must be at least 35 yrs old, a 14-yr resident and native born

16. Has the power to approve or veto laws

17. Makes international treaties

18.Nominates judges to the Supreme Ct

19. Appoints cabinet members

20. Is Commander-in-Chief of the military

Judicial Branch – Supreme and Federal Courts

INTERPRETS LAWS

Judicial – Supreme and Federal Courts

21. Justices of the Supreme Ct serve for life

22. Can declare laws unconstitutional

23. Can settle disputes involving the U.S.

24. Can settle disputes between states

25. Chief Justice rules over an impeachment trial of the President

Legislative Branch Checks •Impeachment power (House)

•Trial of impeachments (Senate)

•May Override Presidential vetoes

•Senate approves treaties and

presidential appointments

•Power to declare war

•Power to initiate constitutional

amendments

•Power to set jurisdiction of courts

•Power to alter the size of the

Supreme Court

Executive Branch

Checks

•Veto Power

•Vice President is the

President of the Senate

•Commander in chief of

the military

•Emergency calling into

session of Congress

•Power to appoint judges

•Pardon power

Judicial Branch Checks:

•Judicial Review (determine if law is constitutional)

•Seats are held on good behavior (for life)

•Chief Justice sits as President of the Senate during

presidential impeachment

•Settle disputes between states