Mexico and the
United States
Comparing the Three Branches
Joe Johnson
Tommy Thompson
Sally Sanders
The Legislative Branch
by
Joe Johnson
Similarities - Structure
O Bicameral Legislatures – Senate and
Chamber of Deputies
O Two Senators represent each state
O Equal representation + proportional
representation
Similarities - Powers
O Pass laws, impose taxes, declare war
O Approve treaties and confirm presidential
appointments (Senate)
O Committees study and recommend bills
Other Similarities
O Chamber of Deputies = House of
Representatives – initiates all budget
matters
O Has the power to impeach and remove the
President
Differences – Terms of Office
United States
Mexico
O Senate = 6 year
O Senate = 6
terms/House = 2
year term
O No term limits
years/Chamber of
Deputies = 3 years
O May not serve
consecutive terms
Differences - Representation
United States
O Senate = equal
representation
O House = proportional
representation
Mexico
O Both Houses have a
mix of equal and
proportional
representation
Differences – Legislation
United States
O Most legislation
introduced by
Congress
Mexico
O Up to 90% of
legislation proposed
by the President
The Executive Branch
by
Tommy Thompson
Similarities – Duties
O Serves as both Chief of State and Head of
Government
O Appoints cabinet members and federal
judges
Similarities - Powers
O Meets with leaders of other nations
O Makes treaties and handles foreign policy
Similarities – Qualifications
O Must be a native born citizen
O Must be at least 35 years old
Differences – Terms of Office
United States
Mexico
O Serves a 4 year term
O Serves one 6 year
of office
O May be elected to
two terms
term
O May not be re-elected
Differences – Election and
Succession
United States
Mexico
O Elected by the
O Elected by a Popular
Electoral Vote (must
have majority)
O Succeeded by a VicePresident
Vote (no majority is
necessary)
O No Vice-President
(Congress chooses
and interim
President)
Differences – Powers and Party
United States
Mexico
O Less influence over
O A great deal of
Congress and state
governors
O Two-party system =
Democrats &
Republicans
influence over
Congress and state
governors
O One dominant
political party = PRI
The Judicial Branch
by
Sally Sanders
Similarities – Structure
O One Supreme Court
O Several different levels of courts
Similarities – Nomination and
Term of Office
O Justices nominated by the President and
approved by the Senate
O Serve for life
Similarities – Judicial System
O Different levels include district courts and
circuit courts
O Justices can be impeached
Differences – Number of
Justices
United States
O Nine justices make
up the Supreme
Court
Mexico
O Supreme Court of
Justice includes 21
ministers or judges
Differences – Requirements
United States
O No specific
requirements to be a
Supreme Court
Justice
Mexico
O Must be citizens by
birth, thirty-five to
sixty-fiver years old,
and hold a law
degree
Differences – Judicial System
United States
Mexico
O Supreme Court
O Supreme Court of
O Courts of Appeals
Justice
O Collegiate Circuit
Courts
O Unitary Circuit Courts
O District Courts
O District Courts
Sources:
O CIA World Factbook:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/th
e-world-factbook/geos/mx.html
O Library of Congress Country Studies:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/mxtoc.html
O At least one other source: