Federalism, Separation of Powers, & Checks and Balances

Essential question: How is power shared in U.S. Government?

It is divided between the 3 branches (separation of powers) and between national, state, and local government (federalism).

federalism

division of power between levels of government

concurrent powers

shared powers (examples: create laws, raise taxes, build roads, establish banks, borrow money)

reserved powers

powers granted to the states by the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution (public health, safety, welfare, and education, licensure, and elections)

delegated powers (aka expressed, enumerated powers)

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to print money.

denied powers

powers prohibited by the US Constitution

implied powers

powers not mentioned in the Constitution, but are used to carry out expressed powers

separation of powers

government's power is distributed among three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial)

legislative branch

makes laws

executive branch

enforces or carries out the law

judicial branch

interprets the law

checks and balances

system that maintains balance between the branches of government; no one branch overpowers the others

impeachment

Congress can formally charge a President or Supreme Court Justice with a crime

judicial review

the US Supreme Court can declare laws or actions unconstitutional

veto

the President can reject a bill passed by Congress

President checks Congress

-Veto laws

-Propose laws, treaties, and appointments

-Create annual budget

-Call special sessions of Congress

Congress checks the President

May override vetoes with a 2/3 vote, may remove through impeachment, senate approves treaties and appointments

President checks Supreme Courtterm-47

President appoints justices to the Supreme Court; pardons criminals

Congress checks Supreme Court

amends Constitution; approves judicial appointments

Supreme Court checks President

declares executive actions unconstitutional

Supreme Court checks Congress

declares laws unconstitutional

amendment process

proposal by legislative branch or convention; ratification by 3/4 of the states (US) or voters (VA)

2/3

fraction of votes for legislative approval, law-making, or amending a constitution

appoint

to select aperson for an office or position

ambassador

a government official sent to another country

bicameral

two house legislature

budget

a plan for collecting and spending money, the president prepares it and congress approves

The cabinet officers

a group of senior officials appointed by the president to advise on policy

confirm

to officially select or agree with a person appointed for a job

enforces

to carry out the law- Executive Branches Job

executive agencies

Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve at the pleasure of the president and can be removed at the president's discretion.

federal bureaucracy

the thousands of federal government agencies and institutions that implement and administer federal laws and programs

execute

to carry out a law

federal law

the law of the national government

House of Represenatives

the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on the population

Senate

The Upper House in Congress composed of 100 members, 2 senators are elected from each state for 6-year terms

Congress

the legislature of the United States government made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate

Interpret

to explain or give the meaning of- Judaical Branch Power

legislate

to make laws- Legislative Branch Power

President

Chief Executive of the United States, Head of State and Commander and Chief of the US Armed Forces. The President of the United States is elected every 4 years, by the Electoral College. Signs or veto's bills passed to them by Congress.

Judge

a public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.

Levies Taxes

Collects Money

Tax revenue

the money a government gains from the collection of taxes

interstate

between the states

US Supreme Court

the highest court of the United States; it sits at the top of the federal court system

Confirms Appointments

Power of the Legislative Branch to official check the Presidents picks for jobs

legislature

lawmaking body

Grant-in-aid programs

grants of federal money or other resources to the States and/or their cities, counties, and other local units