Three Branches of the Government

Three Branches of the Government

System of Checks and Balances • No single branch is permitted the freedom of unlimited power.

Executive – President and Commander in Chief

•Vice President – President of Senate •Cabinet – Heads of Departments ( Secretary of: Defense, Treasury, State, Justice, Energy, Interior, Homeland Security, Transportation, etc.) •Head of Cabinet is the Attorney General

Judicial – Federal Courts

•Supreme Court •9 Justices for life – Chief Justice + 8 Justices •Apply Constitution to laws – can find law unconstitutional. Law must obey the Constitution •Appellate Court

Legislative Congress

•Senate – 100 Representatives (2 from each state) •House of Representatives – Proportionate to state population •Propose Laws (Bills) •“Power of the Purse”

Executive Branch • • • • • • • •

President – signs Bill into Law Appoints Justices for life Appoints “Secretaries” Pardons Declare War Override Veto (2/3) Approve Treaty Controls Funds

Veto • Gun Control – Amendment 2 – A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon.

• School $ • Bridges • Roads

• Signs bills into law {Checks & Balances}

Judicial Branch • • • •

Supreme Court Apply Constitution to Laws Find laws Unconstitutional Appellate Court (empowered to review judicial decisions)

Legislative • “Law-makers” • Propose Laws • Approve Justices

Impeach

Executive

Bill

Legislative

Veto Override Approve all Executive appointments

Judicial

•Grants pardons and reprieves to federal offenders. • President appoints Supreme Court Justices and other federal judges

Can declare laws unconstitutional.

Judicial

Can declare laws or executive acts unconstitutional

Executive

•President can veto bills and appeal to people in speeches. •President can appeal to Congress in messages and can call special sessions •Can impeach and remove President from office. •Can overrule President’s veto. •Senate can refuse to ratify treaties. •Senate can refuse to confirm appointments.

•Can impeach judges. •Senate can refuse to confirm appointments. •Can propose amendments to overrule judicial decisions.

Legislative