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Branches of Government

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Essential Question

What are the branches of the U.S. government, and what powers do each have under the Constitution?

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Executive Branch (President)

  • Powers
    • Enforce or carry out laws
    • Suggest new laws
    • Command the armed forces
    • Appoint government positions such as judges and other officials
    • Make treaties with foreign governments

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Executive Branch (President)

  • Duties
    • Manage departments of the government with use of Cabinet
    • The president’s cabinet is advisors that help the president manage the government
    • Approve or veto law proposals made by Congress
    • Veto means to reject a proposed law

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Executive Branch (President)

    • 4 year terms (2 term minimum)
    • Must be 35 and U.S. born citizen

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Chunk!! Talk!!

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Legislative Branch (Congress)

  • Powers
    • Make Laws
    • Declare War
    • Approve or disapprove presidential appointments and treaties
    • Impeach President or Supreme Court Judges
    • Override presidential veto with a ⅔ majority

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Legislative Branch (Congress)

  • House of Representatives
    • Lower house of Congress
    • Made up of 435 members
    • Each state has a number of representatives based on state’s population
    • 2 year terms, must be 25 years old

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Legislative Branch (Congress)

  • Senate
    • Upper house of Congress
    • Made up of 100 members called senators
    • Each state has 2 senators
    • 6 year terms, must be 30 years old

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Chunk!! Talk!!

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Judicial Branch (The Supreme Court)

  • Powers
    • Interpret or decide what laws mean
    • Decide if laws agree with the Constitution
    • Settle arguments between states
    • Protect the civil rights of the people
    • Decide if the actions of Congress or the president agrees with the Constitution

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Judicial Branch (The Supreme Court)

  • Powers
    • Preside over impeachment trials
    • Impeachment is when a member of government is removed from office.
    • Appointed by the president
    • No term limits, appointed for life

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Chunk!! Talk!!

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Review Questions?

  • What are the governmental powers that are divided between branches of government?

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Review Questions?

  • What are some examples of checks and balances in our Constitution?