Constitution (provided a separation of powers)

Legislative

Makes laws and has Congress, Senate, and House of Representatives

Executive(enforces the laws)

Has the president, vice president, and cabinet

Judicial(interoperates the law)

Has the Supreme court and other federal courts

What is the idea of Separation of powers?

That no branch can become too powerful and that every branch has to do “checks” on the other branches.

Executive branch

4 year terms

2 term limit

Carries out laws

Can veto laws

Negotiates treaties

Head of state

Commander in chief of the armed forces

Legislative Branch

Bicameral

2 houses of representatives

No term limit

2 year representatives

Senate is a 16 year term

Elections are staggered

1/3 has to vote for reelection

Judicial

Nine Supreme Court justices

Elected by president

Local and federal governments

Interprets the laws

Who does the executive branch check?

Checks the legislative branch by approving or vetoing laws and judicial branch by nominating Supreme Court justices

What does the judicial branch check on?

Checks on the legislative branch by making sure laws follow the constitution

Who does legislative check on?

Checks on the executive branch by approving people nominated by the president and can impeach the president to remove him and also can override a presidential veto by 2/3 vote in both houses

What is a veto?

A bill the president signs a\to block or forbid something but if the president wants the bill to go through, it has to go through congress.

What is federalism?

Federalism divides power between the constitution levels of government.

Delegates

Power given to federal government in the constitution. Money, regulate interstate for foreign trad, declare war

Reserved

Power reserved to the state and local government. Regulates trade and business within the state and conducts elections