Ch 8, Sec 2: How the Federal Government Works

Main Idea: The United States government is divided into three branches with separate roles and responsibilities.

The Executive Branch

Set up by Article II of the ConstitutionThe President is the head of the Executive Branch, followed by the Vice-President and the Cabinet

The Executive Branch

Roles of the President: Carry out the laws Direct foreign policy Make treaties with other nations Appoint ambassadors Commander-in-Chief Suggest new laws Grant pardons Call special sessions of Congress

The Executive Branch

Living Symbol: Welcomes foreign leaders Makes speeches Gives medals

The Executive Branch

Electing the President: Requirements:

Age: 35 Citizenship:natural born citizen/lives in

the U.S. for at least 14 years 4 year term, no more then 2 terms Framers set up the electoral college

to elect the president

The Executive Branch

The President can win the popular vote, but loose the election

The Judicial Branch

Called the Supreme Court, is at the top of the judicial systemLower Courts: Federal cases start at a district court If the people are not happy with the

decision, they can appeal, or ask that the decision be reviewed by a higher court.

Second level of courts is a(n) appellate court

The Judicial Branch

Supreme Court: Made up of a chief justice and 8

associate justices The President appoints the justices

and the Senate approves them. Term: Life Main job is as an appellate court Hears more then 100 cases a year

The Judicial Branch

Makes rulings by a majority vote, or at least 5 justices.

Most important power: Interpret the Constitution Can rule actions of the President or laws

made by Congress unconstitutional, or not allowed under the Constitution.

Checks and Balances

Definition: Allows the 3 branches to check or limit the

power of the other branches

President checks Congress by: Vetoing Bills

Rejecting

Congress checks the President by: Overriding the veto:

Overruling

Checks and Balances

Supreme Court checks both by: Declaring laws unconstitutional

Ultimate check by Congress: Impeach the President:

Starts in the House Trial held by Senate President must leave office if 2/3 of the

Senate vote to convict

Checks and Balances

2 Presidents have had this happen to them:

Andrew Johnson Bill Clinton