Branches of
Government
Three Branches
 Legislative

Make laws
 Executive

– President
Enforce laws
 Judicial

– Congress
– Supreme Court
Interpret laws
Legislative
 House





of Representatives
2 year terms
Leader from majority party – Speaker of the
House
Determined by population
Bills about raising money originate in House
Must approve any bill before it goes to
President
 Senate



6 year terms
VP – President of Senate for ties
President pro tempore – majority group’s
leader
 Actually


runs Senate
Must be passed before going to Presidnet
Power to impeach – 2/3 vote
Legislative
 Makes
laws
 Approves President’s budget and treaties
 Remove judges from office for
misconduct
 Override a Presidential veto with 2/3
 Confirms presidential appointments for
Supreme Court
 Tax, borrow and coin money
 Regulate commerce
 Declare
war
 Raise and support armies
 Make all laws “necessary and proper”
Presidential Requirements



Natural born citizen
At least 35
Term 4 years


No term limits yet
Swear oath

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute
the Office of President of the United States, and
will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution of the United
States”
Executive
 Creates
budget
 Make treaties (Senate approves treaties
though)
 Appoints cabinet

State, Treasury, War, Attorney General
 Appoints
Supreme Court
 Veto bill from Congress
Power of President
 Commander
and chief of Army and Navy
 Grant pardons
 Call Congress into session
 Can be impeached



Treason
Bribery
Other high crimes
Judicial
 Powers



Decide whether laws are constitutional
Final decision for state and federal cases
Justices appointed for life or retirement
 Separated

from voters
Strict vs broad interpretation
Fill in the chart.
Power
Interpret laws
Creates a budget
Appoints judges
Makes laws
Declares laws
unconstitutional
Confirms
appointment of
judges
Branch
Branch being
checked
Fill in the chart.
Power
Branch
Branch being
checked
Interpret laws
Judicial
Legislative, Executive
Creates a budget
Executive
Legislative
Appoints judges
Executive
Judicial
Makes laws
Legislative
Executive
Declares laws
unconstitutional
Judicial
Legislative, Executive
Confirms appointment
of judges
Legislative
Executive