legislative and execuctive branch

Legislative

The law-making branch of Congress.

Federal Laws

Laws that apply to the entire country.

Bicameral

Made up of two chambers.

District in Congress

A specific section of a state.

Houses of Congress

The Senate and the House of Representatives.

Qualifications for Senators

Must be at least 30 years old, a citizen for at least 9 years, and reside in the state represented.

Qualifications for Representatives

Must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for at least 7 years, and reside in the state and district represented.

Senators represent

The interests of the citizens across their entire state.

Representatives in the House represent

The people in their district.

Special duties of the Senate

Approve appointments.

Special duties of the House

All bills must start in the House.

Senators from each state

Each state has 2 Senators.

Representatives in the House

There are 435 total Representatives.

Leader of the Senate

Senate Majority Leader.

Leader of the House

Speaker of the House.

Role of majority and minority whips

Communicate about bills and ensure attendance at meetings.

Powers of Congress

1. Create rules for citizenship 2. Collect taxes, pay debts, and borrow money 3. Regulate commerce 4. Coin money and punish counterfeiters 5. Establish post offices 6. Create lower Federal courts 7. Declare war 8. Make laws.

Nine steps for how a Bill becomes a Law

1. Proposal 2. Introduction 3. Committee report 4. Floor debate 5. Vote 6. Hand off 7. Compromise 8. Another vote 9. To the president.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to make any laws they deem necessary.

Enumerated powers

Limited powers given to the federal government.

Impeach

To accuse someone of doing something unconstitutional.

Congress checks the powers of other branches

By impeaching officials, overriding vetoes, controlling the budget, confirming appointments, ratifying treaties, and initiating constitutional amendments.

Qualifications for President

Natural born citizen, 35 years of age, and 14 years residency in the USA.

POTUS

President of the United States.

Cabinet

The president's primary advisory body consisting of 15 departments.

Nine powers of the presidency

Head of the Executive Branch, defend the Constitution, direct the Army, create the Cabinet, give pardons, make treaties, and manage various departments like Justice, Education, Defense, and Health & Human Services.

Department of Justice

Enforces federal laws, prevents crime, and punishes those convicted of federal crimes.

Department of Education

Provides funding to public schools and helps students pay for college.

Department of Defense

Keeps the United States safe using military resources such as the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.

Department of Health & Human Services

Works to protect the health of all Americans and provides medical services to those in need.

Department of Treasury

Makes coins and paper money, helps the economy, and collects taxes.

Department of Homeland Security

Protects the country against terrorism and ensures border safety.

Department of Agriculture

Supports farmers, ensures food safety, and provides nutritional recommendations.

Executive Order

A signed, written, and published directive from the President of the United States.

Judicial Review

A process through which an executive order can be stopped if declared unconstitutional by a Federal court or the Supreme Court.

Checks on Legislative Branch

The President can veto bills to check the power of the Legislative branch.

Checks on Judicial Branch

The President checks the Judicial branch by appointing Federal judges.