Introduction to the 3 Branches of the United States

Government

1. Vice President – Joe Biden2. Speaker of the House – John

Boehner3. President Pro Tempore – Daniel

Inouye4. Secretary of State – Hillary Clinton5. Secretary of the Treasury – Timothy

Geithner6. Secretary of Defense – Robert Gates7. Attorney General – Eric Holder

Presidential Succession

System by which the president is elected

Group of people (electors) chosen in each state and D.C. every four years who make a formal selection of the President and Vice President

The Electoral College

The Electoral College

535 possible votes, 270 votes needed to win the Presidency

Advisors to the President

Includes the leaders of 15 executive departments

The most recently added is the Department of Homeland Security (2001)

Why do you think this department was created in 2001?

The Cabinet

Decide whether laws are “constitutional” or “unconstitutional”

This power is known as judicial review, established by the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison

Judicial Branch

9 Judges

Chosen by the President, approved by the Senate

Serve for life!

The Supreme Court

John G. Roberts, current Chief Justice

Women on the Supreme Court

SONIA SOTOMAYOR RUTH BADER GINSBURG

ELENA KAGAN

Made up of Congress

Which is made up of The Senate and The House of Representatives

The Legislative Branch

Presiding officer (known as The President of the Senate) is always:The Vice President of the United States

If the President of the Senate is not present, this officer serves instead:President Pro Tempore

The Senate

Presiding officers of the Senate

Joe Biden Daniel Inouye

Delaware’s Two Senators

Tom Carper Chris Coons

Presiding officer is known as: The Speaker of the House

House of Representatives

JohnBoehner

Delaware’s member of the House

John Carney

Why is our Government separated into 3 different branches?