Checks and Balances

• Ensures no single person or entity has a monopoly on power.

Federal Agencies and Commissions

• Each branch of government has respective agencies and commissions that perform supporting functions or manage Federal programs.
  • Examples include:
  • GPO (Government Publishing Office)
  • CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)
  • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
  • FJC (Federal Judicial Center)
  • NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Legislative Branch

• Compromised of 435 voting House Representatives and 6 non-voting members representing:
  • Washington D.C.
  • Puerto Rico
  • Four other U.S. territories.

Cabinet

• The President's closest and most trusted advisors.
  • Members are considered experts in their respective fields.
  • They offer advice relevant to their specific agencies.

Law and Order in the Government Context

• Legislative and Executive Branches' interactions include:
  • Interprets Laws: Each branch interprets laws in their handling of issues.
  • Implements Laws: Executive agencies implement laws passed by Congress.
  • Creates Laws: The Legislative branch creates laws that govern the country.

Judicial Authority

• The President has the authority to appoint judges.
• The Supreme Court can:
  • Overturn executive orders issued by the President.
  • Overturn laws passed by Congress.
• Trial Courts of the Federal System:
  • Composed of 94 total judicial districts.
  • Jurisdiction includes both civil and criminal federal cases.

Succession and Composition of the Senate

• Senators serve for 6 years, 2 per state.
• Must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.
• A senator cannot be from the same state as the President.

Executive Departments

• Composed of 15 heads of executive departments.
• The Vice President and Cabinet members are included.

The Constitution

• The highest law of the United States.
• Creates a separation of powers into three branches of government.
• Composed of 7 articles; it is the oldest written constitution still in use.
• Utilizes a system of checks and balances.
• Contains 27 amendments.

Legislative Powers and Presidential Veto

• The President can veto laws proposed by Congress.
• Congress has the power to override vetoes given the necessary majority.
• Congress must approve:
  • Treaties made by the President.
  • Appointments made by the President.
• Congress holds the power to impeach the President.

Composition of Congress

• House of Representatives: 435 members.
• Senate: 100 members.

The Supreme Court

• Highest court in the U.S.
• Made up of:
  • 1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices.
• Justices are appointed for life.
• Decisions from district courts can be appealed to the Supreme Court.
• Congress can overturn court decisions through amendments and can also impeach judges.