Name Class Period. MAIN IDEA PACKET: Government Institutions AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTERS 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18

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1 Name Class Period UNIT 4 MAIN IDEA PACKET: Government Institutions AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTERS 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18 CHAPTER 10 CONGRESS Chapter 10 Section 1: The National Legislature Congress, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives, is the National Government s legislative branch. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Representation in Congress State Population Senators House Members California 33,871, Wyoming 493, *Information based on 2000 Census Answer the following questions using the chart above. Which State has more power in the House of Representatives? Which State has more power in the Senate? Do you think the states are being represented in Congress fairly? Chapter 10 Section 2: The House of Representatives Members of the House, who serve an unlimited number of two-year terms, represent districts of roughly equal representation.

2 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 2 GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Qualification for the Representatives Qualifications Representatives Age At least 25 Citizenship At least 7 years Residency Must be from the State Answer the following questions after reading Chapter 10 Section 2. How many two- year terms may a representative serve? How are seats in the House of Representatives apportioned? When are the seats reapportioned? Why do they do this? Why do politicians gerrymander districts? Chapter 10 Section 3: The Senate Each State has two seats in the Senate, the smaller of the two houses of Congress. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Qualification for the Senators Qualifications Senators Age At least 30 Citizenship At least 9 years Residency Must be from the State Answer the following questions after reading Chapter 10 Section 3. How long is a Senators term? Why is the Senate called a continuous body? How did the 17 th Amendment change the way senators are chosen? In order to expel a senator from the Senate, two thirds of the Senate must agree. Why do you think the Constitution sets such a high requirement?

3 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 3 Chapter 10 Section 4: The Members of Congress Members of Congress, who receive generous pay and good benefits, fulfill various roles. FINISH THIS CHART GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Lawmaker has four voting options: OPTIONS DESCRIPTION Trustees Delegates Partisans Politicos See themselves as agents of those who elected them. Attempt to combine the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles. Answer this question (using the chart you completed above & it must have a least 4 sentences) Which voting option would you choose if you were a Senator? WHY? GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Duties of Members of Congress Legislator Makes laws Committee Member Constituent Representative Constituent Servant Politician -Screen Bills -Oversees the executive branch s enforcement of laws Represents/votes as folks back home want Does favors for citizens Keeps in touch with party leaders and constituents back home Answer the following questions using the chart above. Which duty requires a member of congress to make bills? What is different about being a constituent representative and a constituent servant?

4 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 4 CHAPTER 11 POWERS OF CONGRESS Chapter 11 Section 1: The Scope of Congressional Powers The Constitution gives Congress certain powers, but liberal interpretation have given Congress great scope. FINISH THIS CHART GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Constitution Grants Congress Power in Different Ways TYPE OF POWER DESCRIPTION Expressed Powers Implied Powers Inherent Powers Explicitly, in its specific wording. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Strict Constructionists v. Liberal Constructionists STRICT Congressional Powers should be limited to expressed powers and implied powers needed to carry out duties. Main Goal: Federal Government with very limited powers. LIBERAL Congressional powers should be interpreted in a broad manner. Main Goal: Federal Government with strong powers. Answer this question (using the graph above): Which side of the constructionists argument (STRICT V. LIBERAL) do you think most agree with? WHY? Most Americans came to favor a liberal construction of the Constitution

5 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 5 Chapter 11 Section 2: The Expressed Powers of Money and Commerce Many expressed powers of Congress have to do with money and commerce or business. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Congress s Expressed Powers of Money and Commerce MONEY Tax (90% of gov revenue) Spend Coin Money Borrow Money Set Bankruptcy Laws COMMERCE Regulate Interstate Commerce Regulate International Trade Answer this question: Do you think it would be a good thing for each state to create its own currency? Why? Chapter 11 Section 3: Other Expressed Powers Congress has a number of major expressed powers that are not related to money and commerce. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Expressed Powers of Congress Acquire, manage, and sell federal lands Declare war Raise and support an army and a navy Answer the questions using the Graph on the left. Fix weights and measures EXPRESSED POWERS (Excluding Money & Commerce) Make naturalization laws What is the purpose of copyrights and patents? Protect the works of writers and inventors (copyrights and patents) Set up federal courts Establish a postal system What power of Congress ensures that a gallon measure is the same in each State?

6 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 6 Chapter 11 Section 4: The Implied Powers The Necessary and Proper Clause led to massive expansion on Congress s power. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Implied Powers of Congress EXPRESSED POWER to lay and collect taxes IMPLIES THE POWER to create tax laws and punish evaders to use tax revenues to fund welfare, public schools, health and housing programs to require States to meet certain conditions to qualify for federal funding to borrow money to establish the Federal Reserve System of banks to establish naturalization law to regulate and limit immigration to raise armies and a navy to draft Americans into the military to regulate commerce to establish post offices to establish a minimum wage to ban discrimination in workplaces and public facilities to pass laws protecting the disabled to regulate banking to prohibit mail fraud and obstruction of the mails to bar the shipping of certain items through mails Answer the following questions using the chart above and after reading Ch 11 section 4. What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? What does doctrine mean? From what power is the implied power to limit immigration drawn? Answer this question after reading Chapter 11 Section 4: Why is the Necessary and Proper Clause often called the Elastic Clause?

7 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 7 Chapter 11 Section 5: The Non-legislative Powers Congress has a number 0f non-legislative power, including electoral, executive, and investigative powers. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Non-legislative Powers of Congress Investigative Look into anything that falls within its scope Executive Give "advice and consent" Approve presidential appointments Approve treaties CONGRESS'S POWERS Amendments Propose amendments Call convention to propose amendments Impeachment Bring charges against federal officials (House) Try impeachment cases (Sentate) Electoral Elect a President (House) and Vice President (Senate) if no winner in election Answer the following questions using the chart above. What are the electoral powers of Congress? Which power relates to Congress approving presidential appointments? What is the Senate s role in the impeachment power of Congress?

8 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 8 CHAPTER 12 CONGRESS IN ACTION Chapter 12 Section 1: Congressional Organizers Congress carefully organizes itself to get its complex job done. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Leadership in Congress HOUSE Presiding officer and party leader Majority Floor Leader Speaker of the House Party officers Minority Floor leader SENATE Presiding officers President of the Senate Party officers Majority Floor Leader President Pro Tempore Minority Floor leader Majority Whip Minority Whip Majority Whip Minority Whip Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 1. What is title of the person presiding over the House of Representatives? Who runs the Senate if the Vice President is not there? What are the duties of the Floor leaders? What is the purpose of the party caucus? Why do some people criticize the use of seniority rule in Congress? SIDE NOTE: The House has to reorganize every term because new members taking their seats. Technically, it is possible to start every term in the House with all new members. The Senate only elects 1/3 of their members every term. So they do not need to reorganize how they conduct business. (Plus there is only 100 of them)

9 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 9 Chapter 12 Section 2: Committees in Congress The Senate and the House both divide into committees to manage their business and decide which bills will receive attention. COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING GRAPH: GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Committees of Congress Standing Committees Select Committees Length What does it do? Examples Permanent Specializes in one subject (Handles all bills related to that subject) Length What does it do? Examples -Select Committee on Aging (both houses) -Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities -House Committee on Agriculture TYPES OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES Joint Committees Conference Committees Length What does it do? Examples Permanent or Temporary Includes members of both houses (so the houses do not duplicate work) Length What does it do? Works out a compromise bill when the House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill.

10 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 10 Chapter 12 Section 3: How a Bill Becomes a Law: The House A bill must move through reviews and committee hearings before it reaches the House floor; if passed it moves to the Senate. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Types of Bills and Resolutions Bill a proposed Law a public bill applies to the entire nation a private bill applies only to certain people or places Joint Resolution Concurrent Resolution Resolution a proposal for some action that has the force of law when pass usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters a statement of position on an issue adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly does not have the force of law does not require the President's signature a measure dealing with some matter in one house does not have the force of law does not require the President's signature Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 3. What is main difference between a joint resolution and a concurrent resolution? Which type of bill applies to certain people or places? In regarding to bills in Congress, what is a rider? How many measures are introduced in the House and Senate during a term of Congress? The Constitution states that bill for raising revenue must start in which house? FUN FACT: The Readings of bills in Congress are a formality. Sometimes they don t even read the entire bill. Back in the day they read the whole bill because some congressman couldn t read. WHAT????????????????? Different times.

11 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 11 GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Possible Committee Actions on a Bill Recommend that the bill be passed Pigeonhole, or ignore, a bill Ways a Committee May Treat a Bill Report an amended bill, with suggested changes Substitute an entirely new bill Vote to reject the bill Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 3. Why does the House often use a Committee of the Whole to consider important measures? What happens to a bill if it is rejected in committee? What is the purpose of a discharge petition? WRITE A PARAGRAPH (At least 4 sentences) Answer this question after looking at chart above reading Chapter 12 Section 3: Do you think that committees in Congress are very powerful?

12 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 12 Chapter 12 Section 4: The Bill in the Senate Although the law-making process in the Senate is much like that in the House, debate in the Senate is largely unrestricted. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: How a Bill Becomes a Law Introduction of bill to House or Senate Committee action Both Houses of Congress Vote Again To Conference Committee to resolve differences Approved bill goes to the President If the President signs the bill it becomes law Floor action Approved bill goes to the other house Floor action Committee action If the President vetos the bill it can still become law if 2/3 of Congress votes to override the President Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 4. How many times does bill go through floor action? Where does a bill go to resolve its differences between the two houses of Congress? Explain how a filibuster is designed to work? What is cloture, and why is it hard to achieve? What is the effect of a President s veto, and how can Congress respond?

13 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 13 CHAPTER 13 THE PRESIDENCY Chapter 13 Section 1: The President s Job Description The President of the United States must perform eight different roles at the same time. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Roles of the President Established by Constitution Not Established by Constitution Chief of State Ceremonial head of government Chief Executive head of the executive branch Chief Administrator manages the Federal Government Chief of Party unofficial head of his/her political party Chief Diplomat sets the nation's foreign policy Commander in Chief direcly controls all U.S. military forces Chief Citizen expected to work for and to represent the public interest Chief Legislator attemps to determine Congress's agenda & signs bills into law Answer the following questions from the charts above. Which presidential roles are not expressed in the Constitution? In which role is the President involved with the legislative branch? What does the president do as Chief of State?

14 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 14 FINISH THE CHARTS BELOW after reading Chapter 13 Section 1. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Qualification for the President Formal Qualifications for President Age Citizenship U.S. Residency Born in U.S. Must live in U.S. past 14 years. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Term & Compensation for the President Terms & Compensation Maximum term length (22 nd amendment) Annual Salary Annual expenses $50,000 Other job perks Living in White House (132 room mansion on 18.3-acre estate) Sizable office suite of offices with large staff Fleet of automobiles Air Force One, planes & helicopters Camp David (resort hideaway) Best health care available Generous travel and entertainment funds And more stuff too Chapter 13 Section 2: Presidential Succession and the Vice Presidency If the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the Vice President succeeds to the presidency. FUN FACT: The 25 th Amendment is instructs us who will be president if he dies in office. Just in case there is some sort of mass assassinations we are all good. We have 18 people ready to president it up.

15 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 15 GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Presidential Succession Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veteran Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security Answer the following questions from chapter 13 Section 2. What is presidential disability? How is it decided? What official duties does the Constitution assign to the Vice President? FUN FACT: The President cannot fire the Vice President. No matter how much he or she may hate them. Chapter 13 Section 3: Presidential Selection: The Framer s Plan The Framers set up an electoral college to choose the President and Vice President, but the system changed quickly.

16 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 16 FUN FACT: Our country was set up with most votes becoming President and second amount of votes becoming Vice President. Political Parties messed it up. The 12 th amendment changed this. Today people vote for a pair to be the country s President and Vice President. Answer the following questions from chapter 13 Section 3. Why were most of Framers opposed to choosing the President by popular vote? Outline the original provisions for the electoral college. In what 3 ways did the presidential election process changes as a result of the election of 1800? What did the 12 th amendment do? Chapter 13 Section 4: Presidential Nominations Every four years, political parties officially select their presidential candidates at national conventions, following State primaries and party caucuses. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Selecting a Candidate for President Local Caucuses January Through June District Conventions Presidential Primaries State Conventions July & August National Conventions Conventions have been used since February Through June CAMPAIG Answer the following questions from chapter 13 Section 4. At what four events may parties choose delegates to the national conventions? At national conventions, each party adopts a platform. What is a platform?

17 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 17 Chapter 13 Section 5: The Election On election day, voters choose the next president, but the election is not official until the members of the electoral college cast their ballots. FINISH THE CHART BELOW after reading Chapter 13 Section 5. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Flaws in the Electoral College Three Major Defects in Electoral College 1 st Defect 2 nd Defect 3 rd Defect Electors are not required to vote in accord with the popular vote. FINISH THE CHART BELOW after reading Chapter 13 Section 5. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Proposed Reforms to the Electoral College Alternative Summary of Plan Plan The District Plan The Proportional Plan Direct Popular Election The National Bonus Plan Electors would represent congressional districts and support the popular vote winner in the election. Each candidate would receive the same share of the State s electoral vote as he she received of its popular vote. The voters would directly elect the President. Would add to the current system by giving bonus electoral votes to the popular vote winner. Answer this question after based on the charts above. (4 sentences minimum) Let s say you had to pick one alternative plan to reform the Electoral College. Which plan would you choose? Why?

18 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 18 CHAPTER 14 THE PRESIDENCY IN ACTION Chapter 14 Section 1: The Growth of Presidential Power The Constitution established the office of President, but debate about the extent of the office s powers has continued throughout the nation s history. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Growth of Presidential Power The President stands as the single strong leader of the executive branch. Americans have looked to the President for leadership on complex issues. As commander in chief, the President has been asked to take decisive action in times of national emergency. EXPANDED PRESIDENTIAL POWER The President has used the mass media to capture public attention. Congress has granted the executive branch the authority to carry out many of its laws and has thus strengthened the presidency. Answer this question based on the chart above. (3 or 4 sentences required) How have the American people encouraged the growth of presidential power?

19 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 19 Chapter 14 Section 2: The President s Executive Power The President has great power to give orders, to decide how laws are carried out, and to appoint federal officials. Complete the Graph by describing what the president actually does after reading Chapter 14 Section 2. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Major Executive Powers Executing the Law The President has power to... The Ordiance Power The Appointment Power The Removal Power Answer the following questions from chapter 14 Section 2. What is an executive order, and in what ways does it give the President great power? What is the ordinance power, and where does the President get this power? What officials does the President appoint? What is the Senate s role in the appointment process? Should the President have the sole power to remove all officials he/she appoints?

20 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 20 Chapter 14 Section 3: Diplomats and Military Powers While the President shares various diplomatic and military powers with Congress, in some areas his or her power is unlimited. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Major Diplomatic and Military Powers of the President May make treaties with other nations, with senatorial approval May send U.S. troops into combat without congressional authorization for 60 days MAJOR DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT May make executive agreements with the heads of other nations May extend and withdraw recognition of other countries Answer the following questions from chapter 14 Section 3. What is a treaty? What is the Senate s role in treaties? What is an executive agreement? What is the presidential power of recognition referring to? The War Powers Resolution limits the President s commander in chief powers. List the resolution s three central provisions:

21 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 21 Chapter 14 Section 4: Legislative and Judicial Powers As part of the system of checks and balances, the Constitution gives the President important legislative and judicial powers. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The President s Major Legislative and Judicial Powers LEGISLATIVE POWERS May recommend legislation May veto legislation with a regular veto or with a pocket veto May allow a bill to become a law either with or without a signature Answer the following questions from chapter 14 Section 4. What is a pardon? JUDICIAL POWERS May grant a reprieve on a sentence May grant a pardon for a crime May commute the length of a sentence or the amount of a fine May grant amnesty to a group of law violators What does commute a sentence mean? What is amnesty? Clemency refers to the President s jurisdiction. What is clemency? Answer this question based on this section. (4 sentences minimum) Do you think the President should have all these judicial powers?

22 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 22 CHAPTER 15 GOVERNMENT AT WORK: THE BUREAUCRACY Chapter 15 Section 1: The Federal Bureaucracy The Federal Bureaucracy, part of the executive branch, carries out most of the day-to-day work of the federal government. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Federal Bureaucracy President Executive Office of the President Cabinet Departments Independent Agencies Answer the following questions from chapter 15 Section 1. What is a bureaucracy? Agency/Administration: Single administrator; Near- Cabinet status Authority/Corporation: Regulates business activities; investiagates or advises Commission: Board and manager; business-like activities List things that Federal employees do. What are the three defining features of a bureaucracy in your own words? Why does a government need an administration? What is the difference between a staff agency and a line agency?

23 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 23 Chapter 15 Section 2: The Executive Office of the President (EOP) The Executive Office of the President includes both advisors and agencies that work closely with the President. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Executive Office of the President (These are only some of the offices) Executive Office of the President Office What does it do? The White House Office National Security Council Office Management and Budget Council of Economic Advisers Advises president in all domestic, foreign, and military matters that relate to the nation s security President chairs, also has vice president, the secretary of defense, the secretary of state, the CIA director, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff National security advisor (president assistant of national security affairs) directs a small staff of foreign and military policy experts headed by director confirmed by senate Prepares the federal budget Monitors the spending of the funds Congress appropriates (oversees the execution of the budget) Studies the organization and management of the executive branch Checks and clears agencies stands on all legislative to make sure they meet the president s policy positions Help President prepare executive orders and veto messages Office of National Drug Control Policy Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Answer the following questions from chapter 15 Section 2. Outline the preparation of the federal budget.

24 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 24 Chapter 15 Section 3: The Executive Departments Fifteen executive departments, each headed by a cabinet member, carry out most of the Federal Government s work. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Executive Departments Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Defense Department of Justice Department of the Treasury Department of Homeland Secuirty Department of the Interior Department of Agriculture Department of Education Department of State Department of Commerce Department of Labor Department of Transportation Department of Energy THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS Department of Health and Human Services Department of Housing and Urban Development Answer the following questions from chapter 15 Section 3. How many departments are there? What is the role of the secretary of an executive branch? Which department do you think is the most important? Which department do you think is the least important?

25 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 25 Chapter 15 Section 4: Independent Agencies A number of independent agencies work outside the framework of the executive branch. FINISH THIS CHART: (Chapter 15 Section 4) GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Three Types of Independent Agencies INDEPENDENT AGENCIES TYPE OF AGENCY FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES Independent Executive Agencies Independent Regulatory Commissions Government Corporations Function much like Cabinet departments They don t have cabinet status Carry out business-like activates Federal Reserve System Federal Communications Commission Nuclear Regulatory Commission Answer this question based on this section. (4 sentences minimum) List the 3 reasons why independent agencies operate outside the executive departments. Do you think agree with these reasons?

26 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 26 Chapter 15 Section 5: The Civil Service Most of the people who work for the Federal Government are members of the civil service and are hired and promoted based on their job performance. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Reform of the Civil Service Before Civil Service Legislation After Civil Service Legislation Government officials give jobs and favors to friends and supporters Created an inefficient and corrupt system of government Government workers are hired based on examination. Promotions are given on merit. The competitive nature of this sytem allows for higher quality of work. Answer this question based on this section. (4 sentences minimum) Do you like the reforms made regarding the Civil Service? FUN FACT: 1881 President James Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office seeker. Congress soon passed the Civil Service Act of 1883 (or Pendleton Act) which laid the foundation for the present civil service system.

27 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 27 CHAPTER 18 THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM Chapter 18 Section 1: The National Judiciary The Constitution outlines the structure of the federal judiciary, the jurisdiction of the courts, and the functions of federal judges. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Type of Court Jurisdiction Federal Jurisdiction Concurrent Jurisdiction State Jurisdiction Answer the following questions from chapter 18 Section 1. What is the difference between a constitutional court and a special court (legislative court)? (pg 507) What is jurisdiction? Give an example of a case that would fall under exclusive jurisdiction. What is appellate jurisdiction? What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have? Who nominates federal judges?

28 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 28 Chapter 18 Section 2: The Inferior Courts Most federal cases are tried in the inferior courts- those under the Supreme Court. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: How Federal Cases are Appealed (Simple Version) U.S. SUPREME COURT 12 U.S. Courts fo Appeals U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 94 District Courts U.S. Court of International Trade Answer the following questions from chapter 18 Section 2. Give three examples of different types of criminal cases. Give three examples of different types of civil cases. What is a docket? Why did Congress create the courts of appeals? (pg. 513) Look at the map on page 513. What circuit is Nevada located in? Look at the map on page 513. How many districts are in Nevada? FUN FACT: There are 94 U.S. District Courts. They handle more than 300,000 cases a year which is 80% of the federal caseload. (80% of federal cases are handled by these inferior courts, they don t sound inferior. Am I right?)

29 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 29 Chapter 18 Section 3: The Supreme Court The Supreme Court stands as the final authority on all issues pertaining to federal law. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: How Cases Travel Through the Supreme Court HOW A CASE REACHES THE SUPREME COURT by writ of certiorari: The Supreme Court orders a lower court to send it a case's record. by certificate: A lower court asks the Supreme Court to certify a matter's answer. by orgination: If a State or a diplomat is involved. HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULES ON THE CASE Both sides send in breifs. Both sides present oral arguments. Justices vote and write a majority opinion. Answer the following questions from chapter 18 Section 3. How does a case that reaches the Supreme Court by certificate do so? How does a writ of certiorari differ from a certificate? What is precedent? How many court cases does the Supreme Court decide per year (about)? What is the difference between a concurring opinion and a dissenting opinion?

30 American Gov Unit 4: Gov Institutions Main Idea Packet Pg 30 Chapter 18 Section 4: The Special Courts The special courts handle cases that are outside the mainstream judicial system. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Special Courts Legislative Court Jurisdiction Court of Federal Claims Suits against the United States Territorial Court Cases in U.S. territories District of Columbia Court Cases in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the Armed forces Appeals from court-martial Court-martial Violations of military law Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Veteran's benefits Tax Court Civil cases involving tax law Answer the following questions from the chart and chapter 18 Section 4. Who created the Special Courts (or legislative courts)? Which special court would hear an appeal from a court-martial? Read Military Commission section that starts on page 525. (Write 3 sentences minimum) Do you agree with the creation and use of military commissions?