Civic Engagement: Lesson 11-13

What does the Legislative Branch do?

Make laws

The Legislative Branch is a….

Deliberative body.

The Legislative Branch has to avoid….

Hasty decisions.

What does the Executive Branch do?

Carry out laws.

The Executive Branch needs….

Needs “energy”

The Executive Branch has the capacity to….

Act quickly.

The Executive Branch can only serve?

Four year terms, But can serve more than one term.

What does the Judicial Branch do?

Interpret laws.

The Judicial Branch makes up of what?

The Supreme Court and Lower federal courts (Judges).

The Judicial Branch is appointed by who and confirmed by?

The President and The Senate.

Is the Judicial Branch involved in politics?

No.

The Judicial serves for….

Life, Until Death, or Retirement

What is Checks and Balances?

A system of separate and shared powers.

What is supremacy clause?

Constitution and all federal laws/ treaties are supreme law of the land.

Congress is bicameral meaning?

There are two chambers.

The President commands who?

Armed Forces

Congress can do what?

Declare war and fund gov’t armed forces

Treaties are what?

Foreign Agreements

Who negotiates and creates treaties?

The President

2/3 of who must approve treaties?

Senate

An ambassador does what?

Represents the U.S in other countries

Who appoints ambassadors?

The President

Who must approve ambassadors?

Majority of senate

Ambassadors have their job for how long?

4 years

Growth of president powers are?

1. Constitutional vague powers

2. President precedents

3. Separations of power

4. Expansion of federal gov’t

5. Build a legacy

What was the first proposal at the 1787 convention?

have a direct election and cast ballots and candidate with the most votes wins.

What happened to the proposal of 1787 convention?

It was opposed.

Why was the first proposal opposed?

Citizens of a large country wouldn’t know the best candidate

gives populous states an advantage

What was the decision made at the 1787 convention?

Indirect election of president through separate groups.

What was the issue with congress electing the president?

Corruption, the president could be manipulated.

What was the issue with state legislatures electing the president?

the president would be too involve with local issues.

What was the solution to electing the president?

The electoral college.

What is the electoral college?

a group organized every 4 years to select the president.

How are do members of the electoral college get chosen?

Each state appoints members

# of representatives + # of senators = # of electors

Electors vote based on what?

Popular vote of state (winner takes all)

Connecticut has how many electors?

7

How many electors are there in total?

535

Administrative units help do what?

Carry out laws

What is congresses role?

Create and oversee administrative agencies

What is the executive’s role?

Direct admin agencies by issuing executive orders

what are the 3 types of admin units?

Executive department, Executive office of the president, Independent agencies

Who appoints executive department?

The president

the executive department does what?

Serve and advise in the president’s cabinet and contain divison and bureaus.

The executive office of the president does what?

Scheduling, press, legal, etc

Independent agencies have what from the president?

Authority from presidential control

Administrative powers are…

• quasi- legislative power

  (adopt rules to implement)

  (broad congressional laws)

• quasi-judicial powers

  (hold hearing to resolve)

  (disputes about admin polices)

Administrative checks are…

• The president

  (appointment power)

  (executive orders)

• Congress

  (Can eliminate agencies)

  (Must confirm appointments)

  (fund and oversee agencies)

• Court (judicial review)

• Citizens, interest groups, media

Federal Jurisdiction is?

Cases involving National laws

Supreme court judges are appointed by who?

The President

Supreme Court Jurisdictions is what?

Original and Appellate Jurisdiction

Original Jurisdiction is what?

The power to hear a case for the first time

Original Jurisdiction only applies to?

Cases involving ambassadors and states

Appellate Jurisdiction is what?

Revising decisions of lower court

Appeal is what?

To apply to a higher court for a revisal of the decisions of lower court

The court hierarchy is …

U.S Supreme Court

U.S Court of Appeals

U.S District Courts

What is the appellate process?

• Relevant parties must files a request

• 4 Justices agree to review case (rule of 4)

• Supreme court written opinions:

• Explain decisions (rulings)

• Majority and dissenting opinions

• Functions: 1. Accountability

• 2. Establish precendent

What was Marbury V. Madison (1803)

• Marbury was offered a job by President Adams

• Job was offered but not sent

• New President Jefferson and Secretary Madison refused to send offer

• Marbury asked Supreme court to issue a writ of mandamus to force the offer to be delivered

What is the Judiciary Act (1789)

You could go to the Supreme court to ask for a Writ of Mandamus

What is a Writ of Mandamus?

Order to gov’t official to fulfill duties

Constitution says what about cases that involve the Supreme court?

Only certain kinds of cases can start at the Supreme Court

the Judiciary Act (1789) was….

Unconstitutional

What is Judicial Review?

Federal judges have the power to decided whether acts of congress, the executive branch, or the state violates the constitution.

Power to interpret the constitution.

Power to declare actions of gov’t officials unconstitutional.

The Supreme courts decision can be overturned how?

With a constitutional amendment.