The American Government
3 Branches
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
The Legislative Branch
• Makes Laws
• Congress
• Senate
– Vice President
• House of Representatives
– Speaker of the House
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May Overturn Presidential Veto by 2/3 Vote
May Declare War
Appoints Federal Judges
Passes the National Budget
The Executive Branch
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The President
The Presidential Cabinet
Can Veto Bills From Legislative Branch
Can Raise Armies
Carries Out Laws
Judicial Branch
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Supreme Court
Decide if Laws are Constitutional
Large Scale Trials
Impeachments of Government Officials
Judges not elected by People
Judges Serve Life Term
Online Quiz
http://www.wisconline.com/objects/viewobject.aspx?id=soc5904
Checks and Balances
• Each Branch has a Power that Keeps
Another Branch From Gaining too Much
Power
– Legislative – Overturn Presidential Veto
with 2/3 Vote
– Executive – Presidential Veto
– Judicial – Can Declare any Law
Constitutional, Impeachments
Constitutional Amendments
• First 10 = Bill of Rights
• 27 Amendments Currently
• 2/3 Vote in House and Senate or
2/3 State Vote for Convention
(Never Done)
• Must be Ratified by 3/4 of States
Electoral Collage
• Uses voters votes in a state to vote for
president
• Representation = Number of Seats in the
Senate and House
– Larger States = More Votes
• House Decides President in the Result of a Tie
Senate
Congress
House
of Reps.
Senate
• Standard Number of Representatives Per State
• Vice President
– 2nd in line for Presidency
• Approves Presidential Appointments
– Judges, Ambassadors, Cabinet
• Approve Treaties with Foreign Nations
• 100 Members
– 2 Per State
• 6-Year Terms
• At Least 30 years Old and Lived in US 9 Years
House of Representatives
• Number or Representatives Based on Population
• Speaker of the House
– 3rd in line for Presidency
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435 Representatives
2-Year Terms
At Least 25 Years Old, Lived in US 7 Years
Power to Impeach
– Senate must approve with 2/3 Vote
President
• Native Born US Resident
– Or Both Parents are US Citizens
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At Least 35 Years Old
Live in the US at Least 14 Consecutive Years
Elected by Electoral Collage
Appoints Cabinet, Judges, and Ambassadors
Supreme Court Judge
• No Constitutional Requirements
• Follow American Bar Association (ABA)
Standards
– Good Standing with ABA for 5 Years
– 12 Years Practicing Law
– Upstanding Citizen
– Awards and Accomplishments
• Maintain Position for Life
Citizenship Requirements
• Must Have Entered the US Legally (Green
Card) or Have Served in Armed Forces
• Continuous Residency for 5 Years
• Physical Residence at Least 3 Months Prior to
Application
• Physical Presence in the US for at least half of
the Continuous Residency
• Basic Understanding of English and US
Government (Citizenship Test)
Citizenship Test
• Complete the Sample Test to Determine if You
Could Become a Citizen of the United States
• Cheating will Lead to Permanent Deportation
from the United States