Basic Concepts of U.S. Government

President, Vice President, and the Cabinet

Executive Branch

Enforces laws that Congress passes

Executive Branch

House of Representative and Senate

Legislative Branch

Congress makes laws

Legislative Branch

Supreme court and other federal courts

Judicial Branch

Interpret laws and decides if laws and actions follow the Constitution

Judicial Branch

• The ability to sign treaties

• Set national policy

• Select ambassadors

• Propose these laws to Congress

• Name top leaders of federal departments and Supreme Court justices (although the Senate can reject the president’s choices)

• Sign bills from Congress to become law (or veto the bill)

Presidential Power (Executive Branch)

• President is the Commander in Chief of the military (but only Congress has the power to declare war)

• The President’s cabinet advises the President

Executive Branch

Congress makes laws (bi-cameral or two houses)

Senate

• 100 senators (2 per state; All states have equal powers and Senate)

• Small population colonies wanted equal representation

• Elected to six-year terms

  House of Representatives

• 435 members (based on the population of the state

• Larger population colonies wanted representation based on population

• Elected to two-year terms

• Hold them accountable to the people

Legislative Branch

• Interpret and then decide if laws and actions follow the constitution

• Reviews laws, explains laws and resolves disputes

• Nine justices on the Supreme Court

• Appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate for life

Judicial Branch

State v. Federal Government

The constitution divides power between national and state government. This division of power is called federalism.

Federal Government Powers

• Print money

• Declare war

• Create an army

• Make treaties

State Government Powers

• Provide schooling and education

• Provide protection (police)

• Police provide safety (fire departments)

• Approve zoning and land use

• Licensure requirements (marriage, driver’s license)

State and Federal Shared Powers

• Ability to tax people

• Anything not specified as a federal power belongs to the state