3 Branches of Government and Preamble

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government is able to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Executive Branch

A branch of government that is made up of the president, the vice president, and the cabinet.

Separation of Powers

Different powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Legislative Branch

This branch is responsible for making laws. The two houses of Congress are located in this branch of government.

Congress

The House of Representatives and the Senate together are called this.

Supreme Court

A part of the National Judicial branch that is made up of nine judges chosen by the president and approved by Congress.

Justice

A judge that is appointed or is in the Supreme Court is known as a _____________

Senate

Made up of 100 elected representatives. Half of the Legislative Branch.

Senators

Each state gets two __________ that are elected by the people.

US Constitution

The document that created the 3 US branches of government.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets the Constitution and decides whether or not a law is unconstitutional (settles disputes).

Executive Branch powers

Branch powers - enforces the law, negotiates treaties, and directs foreign policy.

House of Representatives

The members of this group are elected and are determined by population. The more people a state has, the more representatives that state gets.

Cabinet

Advises the president. The members are approved by Congress.

Commander in Chief

The title the president has over the Department of Defense, the military.

veto

A president can do this to a bill if he does not want it to become a law.

Election

These are held to determine the members of the Legislative Branch and the top two positions in the Executive Branch.

Requirements to be President

Has to be at least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and a U.S. resident for the last 14 years.

Senator requirements

This person must be 30 years old, a resident of the state they represent, and a U.S. citizen for the previous 9 years

House of Representative member requirements

This person must be 25 years old, a resident of the state they represent, and a U.S. citizen for the previous 7 years

Term length for House of Representatives

2 years

Preamble

the introduction to the Constitution, outlining the goals of the document

division of powers (FEDERALISM)

Power divided between the federal government and the states as expressed by the Constitution of the U.S.

Cabinet Departments, Federal Agencies and Regulatory Groups

Three groups that help the President interpret and execute laws:

State of the Union

An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and RECOMMEND new laws.

Supreme Court Term Length

for life

Term length for a Senator

6 years

Term length of the President

4 years (max two terms)

term

Length of time a politician is voted into office