GOVERNMENT IN THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT IN THE U.S.

1. Main parts of the U. S. Constitution a. Preamble: goals of the gov t. 1. form a more perfect union, 2. establish justice 3. insure domestic tranquility 4. provide for the common defense 5. promote the general welfare, 6. secure the blessing of liberty

j. Amendments 11-27 b. Article 1 - Legislative Branch c. Article 2 - Executive Branch d. Article 3 - Judicial Branch e. Article 4 - Interstate Relations f. Article 5 - Amendment Process g. Article 6 - Supremacy Clause h. Article 7 - Ratification i. Amendments 1-10 - Bill of Rights

2. The Three branches: a. Legislative: 1. method of electing members 2. qualifications 3. terms of office 4. procedure for making laws 5. powers b. Executive: 1. presidential powers 2. term of office 3. method of election 4. method of removal

c. Judicial Branch 1. term of office 2. congress s power to establish new courts 3. jurisdiction - responsibilities of each court

2. Principles of the U.S. Constitution: a. Federalism - political union with a strong central government with some power shared among smaller components. 1. division of power - more power given to Central Government 2. Delegated powers - powers listed in the Constitution for the Central Government. 3. Reserved powers - those given to the states (Amendment 10) 4. Concurrent powers - those given to both the central government and the states

5. Denied powers - those powers the government does not have 6. Implied powers - not specifically mentioned but broadly hinted at in the Constitution

b. Separation of Powers: three branches 1. legislative branch - makes the laws 2. executive branch - enforces the laws 3. judicial branch - interprets the laws Purpose is to eliminate one branch from having too much power.

c. Checks and Balances 1. Definition and Purpose: allows each branch to counter the powers of the other two so that no one branch becomes too powerful.

3. Congress a. Bicameral organization two houses 1. requirements for each house a. House: b. Senate: b. Terms and membership: 1. House: 435 members - elected every two years 2. Senate: 100 members - elected every six years

3. The Congress a. Bicameral Organization - two house 1. requirements: a. Senate: 1. 30 years of age 2. 9 years a citizen 3. resident of state b. House of Representatives 1. 25 years of age 2. 7 years a citizen 3. resident of district you represent

2. Apportionment of seats in House of Representatives is based on the census taken every 10 years to determine population changes. (reapportionment)

3. Special powers and rules of the Senate: a. Approve all treaties by 2/3 vote b. Approve all appointments with 51% vote. c. Try cases of impeachment d. Choose V. Pres., if Electoral College doesn t. Rules on debate: filibuster: unlimited speaking to debate a bill sometimes to kill the law.

4. Special Powers of the House: a. All money bills originate in House b. Impeach the President c. Choose Pres. if Electoral College doesn t. Debate is strictly regulated because of the size of the House of Representatives.

b. Powers of Congress - 18 delegated powers 1. elastic clause: (implied powers) Article 1, section 8, clause 18- Congress may make all laws necessary to carry out the other 17 powers. 2. Limits on Power Article 1, section 9 a. No tax on exports b. No titles of nobility c. No suspending habeas corpus d. No ex post facto laws e. No bills of attainder

c. How a bill becomes a law:

d. Influence of pressure groups 1. Group Action Lobbyists (paid professional representing a particular interest group) Examples: Must file financial records and register with Federal Gov t. 2. Individual action a. Write letters b. Call representatives