Exploring the Constitution: Specified Powers of the Three Branches

Vocabulary and key defined terms regarding the specified constitutional powers of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of the U.S. government.

Commerce

Trade

Naturalization

Process of becoming a U.S. citizen

Patents

Exclusive rights to control the manufacture & sale of an invention

Copyright

An author's exclusive right to control the sale, production, or reproduction of written work.

Inferior tribunals

Federal Courts lower than the U.S. Supreme Court

Letters of marque and reprisal

Authorization to arm a merchant ship

District not exceeding 10 miles (Article 1 Section 8)

Refers to Washington D.C., over which Congress exercises exclusive legislation.

House of Representatives Special Power

Power to impeach (Article I, Section 2)

Senate Special Power

Power to hold trial for impeachment (Article I, Section 3, Paragraph 6)

Executive Departments

The President's Cabinet Secretaries (i.e. Sec. of State, Atty. General, Sec. of Defense)

Power to Receive Ambassadors

The President's power to give diplomatic recognition to other countries

Veto

An important power of the president detailed in Article I Section 7, paragraph 2 regarding how a bill becomes a law.

Advice and Consent

Senate approval required for the President to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, ministers, consuls, and appoint judges.

Jurisdiction

The power to hear certain cases

Original jurisdiction

The power to hear a case first, before any other court

Appellate jurisdiction

The power to hear cases on appeal from lower courts