Three Branches of Government

Legislative branchCongress

Senate House of Representatives

When the Constitution was created some framers wanted each state to have equal representation and other framers wanted it based on population. James Madison devised a plan to have two Houses of Congress. One House has an equal number of representatives for each state and in the other House the number of representatives for each state is based upon the population in that state.

Qualifications for Senate

•Must be at least 35 years old •Must be citizens for at least 9 years•They must live in the state that they represent •Each state sends two persons to the Senate •There are 100 senators •Senators are elected to serve for six years•Leader: Vice President

Powers of Senate

Must approve officials appointed by the president

Must approve any treaties made by the president

Sole power to try (bring to trial) all impeachments

Qualifications for Representatives

•Must be at least 25 years old •Must be a citizen for at least 7 years •They must live in the state they represent •Representatives serve for two years •Leader: Speaker •Number of representatives based upon population (435)

Powers of Representatives

Has the power to propose laws to raise revenue (tax laws)

Has the sole power of impeachment (remove them from office)

Powers given to Congress (both Senate & House)

Create laws Tax the people Raise an army and navy to defend our

nation Declare war Create a court system Override a vetoed bill with a 2/3 vote in BOTH houses

Has the power to propose amendment

Executive Branch

Consists of: President Vice President Cabinet members

Enforces laws

Qualifications for presidency

•Must be a natural born citizen of the U.S.

•Must be a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years

•Must be at least 35 years old

Powers given to the president

• Commander in Chief of armed forces• Chief Diplomat• Chief Lawmaker (veto a bill)• Pardon for crimes • Makes treaties with other countries• Appoint judges to Supreme Court

JUDICIAL BRANCH

Interpret laws (to decide the meaning of the law and the Constitution).

Federal courts deal with problems between the states, cases that deal with the Constitution, and laws made by Congress.

JUDICIAL BRANCH

Judicial Branch

Federal Courts Supreme Court

FACTS ABOUT THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

Qualifications Must be appointed by the president Serve for life

Powers Judicial Review Settling disputes involving the U.S. Settling disputes between states

JUDICIAL BRANCH

Judicial review is one of the most important powers of the judicial branch. Judicial review is the power of the courts to decide whether the United States Constitution allows a certain law or action of government. Judicial review gives the federal courts the power to: Declare that a law made by Congress

unconstitutional. Declare that an action taken by the president

unconstitutional. Declare a state law unconstitutional.