Standard CE.6a - Structure and Powers of National Government

Transcription

1 Standard CE.6a - Structure and Powers of National Government The Constitution of the United States defines the structure and powers of the government. The powers held by government are divided between the national government in, D.C. and the governments of the 50 states. Legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the national government are distributed among three distinct and independent of government. The legislative branch 1. Consists of the, a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives ( members, based upon populations of the states) the Senate ( members two per state.) 2. Makes the of the nation 3. the budget 4. Confirms appointments 5. Raises through taxes and other levies 6. Regulates and trade 7. Declares The executive branch 1. Headed by the of the United States, the chief executive officer of the nation 2. the laws of the land 3. the budget for congressional action 4. Appoints,, and 5. Administers the The judicial branch 1. Consists of the courts, including the, the highest court in the land 2. The Supreme Court exercises the power of. 3. The federal courts try cases involving and questions involving interpretation of the.

2 Standard CE.6b - Separation of Powers / Checks & Balances The powers of the national government are separated among three branches of the government in ways that limit any one branch from its power. Separation of powers The Constitution of the United States in Articles I, II, and III defines the powers of the,, and branches of the national government. Checks and balances Each of the three branches of the national government the exercise of power by the other two branches. The legislative branch Article 1. The Congress checks the president when legislators presidential and a president. 2. The Congress checks the courts when legislators or a federal judge/justice and convict judges/justices. The executive branch Article 1. The president checks Congress when the president proposes an budget for Congress to approve call of Congress Congress has passed. 2. The president checks the courts when the president. The judicial branch Article 1. The courts check Congress when judges/justices declare to be unconstitutional. 2. The courts check the president when judges/justices declare to be unconstitutional.

3 Standard CE.6c National Lawmaking Process Officials who are elected to serve in the national make laws. National laws are made by. All citizens can learn the importance of the individual s participation in the policymaking process through and. Legislative powers 1. : Specifically listed in the Constitution of the United States 2. : Used to carry out expressed powers The lawmaking process in Congress 1. Introducing a bill by a or 2. Working in 3. the bill on the floor of each house 4. Voting on the in each house 5. Sending the bill to the to sign into Elected officials in Congress and take action in response to or issues. and help shape legislation. The formal powers of Congress are limited by the. Citizens (including students) learn the importance of the legislative process through and/or simulations.

4 Standard CE.6d Powers of the National Executive Branch The executive branch plays a key role in the process. Presidential power is broad in both and affairs, but there are limits on what the president can and cannot do. Ways the executive branch influences policymaking 1. Proposing legislation in an annual speech to Congress ( ) 2. Appealing directly to the 3. Approving or vetoing 4. Appointing who carry out the laws,, and interpret and execute the laws. The president exercises power as 1. : Ceremonial head of the government 2. : Head of the executive branch of government 3. : Proposer of the legislative agenda 4. : Head of the nation s armed forces 5. : Architect of American foreign policy 6. : Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch 7. : Representative of all of the people. Presidential power has in the years since the Constitution was ratified.

5 Standard CE.7a Structure and Powers of the State Government The form of government of the Commonwealth of Virginia is established by the. Legislative, executive, and judicial powers are at the state level of government. Virginia Capitol Building The Constitution distributes power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the. The legislative branch is the, a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of and the Virginia. They meet annually for a fixed number of days. The executive power is exercised by the, who is elected for a -year term of office. The governor appoints members of the, who oversee specific functions of government. The lieutenant governor and the attorney general are executive branch who are for a -year term of office. The judicial power is exercised by a court system that consists of four levels of courts (including small claims courts and juvenile and domestic relations courts)

6 Standard CE.7b Federalism The Constitution of the United States of America establishes the principle of federalism, which is:. The expansion of the national government s powers into areas traditionally reserved to the states has altered the relationship of states to the national government. The U.S. Constitution establishes a federal form of government in which the government is supreme. The powers not given to the national government by the Constitution of the United States of America are. The Constitution of the United States of America denies certain powers to both the and governments. Primary responsibilities of each level of government 1. National: Conducts, regulates, and provides for the 2. State: Promotes,, and Tensions exist when state actions without adequate.

7 Standard CE.7c The State Lawmaking Process Members of the Virginia General Assembly are to make state. The lawmaking process in the Virginia General Assembly the bill on the floor of house 4. on the bill in house 5. the bill to the to sign into law Elected officials in the write laws and take action in. and help shape legislation. The primary issues in the legislative process at the state level A study of Virginia s public safety 1. : To an informed and engaged citizenry (i.e., establish minimum standards for local schools) 2. : To and the health of its citizens (i.e., fund health benefits) 3. : To natural resources (i.e., improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay) 4. : To a biennial ( year) budget prepared by the governor 5. : To levy and taxes

8 Standard CE.7d Executive Branch of Virginia The executive branch of the Virginia state government the laws and plays a key role in the process. The of Virginia exercises the formal powers granted by the In carrying out both the formal and informal powers of the office, the governor fills several roles, including Cabinet secretaries and departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards aspects of business and the economy 4.