The United States GovernmentThe Legislative BranchThe Executive BranchThe Judicial Branch

Peoples views about the U.S. Constitution A person that argues for interpreting the

U.S. Constitution exactly as it is written is called a strict constructionist.

A person that argues for interpreting the U.S. Constitution by reading between the lines is considered a loose constructionist.

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution has been argued that it is an inherent source of powers for the government to use.

Representative Government

People elect representatives to make laws and govern. Elected representatives have the power to pass laws. This power is deprived from the people’s consent (voting representatives who represent the voters desires).

The Legislative Branch

Article I establishes the legislative branch and specifies it’s powers.

It is comprised of a bicameral congress. They are the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House represents the Virginia Plan and the Senate represents the New Jersey Plan.

The Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

“The Elastic Clause” gives Congress the power to make any laws which are “necessary and proper” in carrying out the powers and purposes of the U.S. Constitution.

The Senate Approves Supreme

Court appointments

Hears impeachment hearings

Approves foreign treaties

I’m just a Bill

I'm just a bill.Yes, I'm only a bill.And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.Well, it's a long, long journeyTo the capital city.It's a long, long waitWhile I'm sitting in committee,But I know I'll be a law some dayAt least I hope and pray that I willBut today I am still just a bill.

C h a rt H o w a B ill B eco m es a L aw

T h e S u pre m e C ou rt h a s th e p o w e r to d ec la rea la w u n co n stitu tio n a l.

C o n gre ss m ay o ve ride a p re s id e nts ve to if:2 /3 o f bo th H o u se s vo te fo r it.

T h e p re s id e n t m a y:S ig n th e b ill in to law

V e to th e b ill

T h e b ill is the n d e ba tedb y bo th the H o use a n d the S e n ate .

If b o th a g re e on th e b ill it is se n t to thep re s id e n t.

T h e b ill is th en se n t to a co m m itte e w h e ree xp erts a rg ue fo r o r a g a in s t th e b ill.

T h e b ill ca n b e re w ritte n , re jec te d , a pp rove d o r ch a ng e d.

A bill is an idea from anybody .A m e m eb e r o f th e H o us e or S en a te m u s t in trod u ce it.

The Executive Branch Article II outlines very little of what

powers are granted to the president. He must be at least 35 years old, a

resident of the United States for 14 years and either a natural born citizen or have been a citizen when constitution was adopted.

The framers of the Constitution feared a direct election of the president and vice-president by the people!

Electing the President The “electoral college” is a

a body of electors who are equal to a states senators and representatives who will elect the president.

The president and vice-president were actually chosen based on who got the most votes.

Electoral college is a check on “mob rule”.

Powers of the President He has the authority to enforce all federal laws. He is commander and chief of the army and

navy. May grant pardons for persons convicted of

federal offenses. Can make treaties with the consent of the

Senate. Appoints Supreme Court judges and other

officers of government who need Senate approval.

Provides a state of the Union address. (it is written)

The Cabinet

To cover the many responsibilities of the executive branch the president may have various departments. Secretary of War

oversees the military Secretary of State

oversees domestic affairs

Secretary of Treasury managed finical policies

Impeachment A president and other

executive officers may be removed from office should they commit “high crimes and misdemeanors”.

The House impeaches and the Senate must convict to remove a person from office.

The Judicial Branch Article III explains that the Supreme

Court is established by the Constitution. All other courts are created by Congress.

Justices must be of men of “good behavior” and are appointed for their lifetime.

The U.S. has a dual court system of courts: Federal courts and state courts.

The right to a trial by jury is guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

The powers of the Supreme Court Interprets the laws Hears all cases dealing

with the Constitution Hears all cases affecting

ambassadors and public officers

All cases related to the high seas

In cases where the U.S. is involved

Trial by Jury and Treason All cases are to be by

a jury of one’s peers. Treason is addressed

and one can be charged if two witnesses view the act.

The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land and courts must uphold Supreme Court decisions

H ouse of R epresentatives

Senate

Legislative

C abinet

V ice-President

President

Executive

State C ourts

Federal C ourts

Suprem e C ourt

Judicial Branch

The U nited States C onstitution