The document describes the 3 branches of the US government: - The legislative branch is Congress which makes laws and is divided into the House of Representatives with 435 members and a 2 year term and the Senate with 100 members and a 6 year term. - The executive branch is headed by the President who enforces laws and has a 4 year term. Cabinet members advise the President. - The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court which interprets laws and declares acts unconstitutional. Justices are appointed for life.

1. 3 Branches of
Government
Working together for our Success

2. Legislative Branch
Commonly known as “Congress.”
Congress is divided
into 2 chambers.
The House of Representatives
-435 Members in the House of Representatives.
The Senate
-100 Members in the U.S. Senate.

3. House of Representatives
 The number of Representatives for each state
is based on state population.
 2 year term of office.
 Requirements to be in the House;
At least 25 years old,
Citizen of U.S. for 7 years,
Live in the state you wish to represent.
Lee Terry
Jeff Fortenberry
Adrian Smith

4. The Senate
 Every state has equal representation
- 2 senators.
 6 year term of office.
 Requirements to be in the Senate;
At least 30 years old,
citizen of U.S. for 9 years
live in the state you wish to represent.
Mike Johanns Ben Nelson

5. Powers of Congress
 To coin or print money.
 To declare War and make Peace.
 The House of Representatives can Impeach the
President.
 The Senate tries all impeachment cases.
Job is to make and pass laws.
But that’s not all they also have the power to:

6. Check For
Understanding
 What job can a 25 year old African
American woman run for if she was born
in America and is living in Chicago?
A Representative for the House of Representatives
for the State of Illinois.

7. One More Check…
 What job can a 27 year old German
American man run for if he has been
living in America for 12 years and a
citizen for 6 years and is currently
living in Los Angeles?
 Nothing…he has not been a citizen of
the U.S. for long enough.

9. Executive Branch
 Job is to enforce the laws.
 Head of the Executive Branch
is the President.
 4 year term, limited to 2 terms or 10
years in office.

10. What does it take to be
President?
 Requirements to be president:
Must be At least 35 years old,
a natural born citizen, and
a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.
Nowhere does it say you have to be a man.
Nowhere does it say you have to be of 1 specific race.
Anyone can be president if they are elected!

11. Presidential Succession
Who takes over if the President dies?
 Between 1841 and 1975, more than one-
third of U.S. Presidents had either died in
office, quit, or become disabled.
->The 20th and 25th Amendments set up the
procedure to replace a President.
->After the Vice Pres, comes the -> Speaker of
the House, -> President Pro Tempore of the Senate
->Then the Cabinet Members in order.
So what is the “Dooms Day” Provision?

12. Powers of the President
 To be commander in chief of the
Armed Forces.
 To pardon persons convicted of
crimes.
 To call special sessions of Congress.
 To appoint Government officials (must
be approved by Congress).

13. Presidential Cabinet
“the Advisors to the President”
 Department of Agriculture
Secretary
 Department of the Interior
Secretary
 Department of Commerce
Secretary
 Department of Justice
Attorney General
 Department of Defense
Secretary
 Department of Labor
Secretary

 Department of Education
Secretary
 Department of State
Secretary
Department of Energy
Secretary
Department of Transportation
Secretary
Department of Health & Human Services
Secretary
Department of the Treasury
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Secretary
Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary
Department of Housing & Urban
Development
Secretary

15. Judicial
Branch
 Main job is to Interpret the laws and
punish the lawbreakers.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts,
Associate Justices
Stephen G. Breyer,
Clarence Thomas,
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Samuel A. Alito
Anthony M. Kennedy,
Antonin G. Scalia
Sonia Sotomayor
Elena Kagen

16. What does it take to be a
Supreme Court Justice?
 There is 1 Chief Justice
– 8 Associate Justices (picture on the preceding page)
Qualifications:
1)Appointed by the
President.
2) Approved by the
Senate
Supreme Court Justices are given the job FOR
LIFE!
The only way to get rid of one is:
If they commit a crime,
If they retire,

17. Powers of the Supreme
Court
 They can declare ANY legislative or
executive act unconstitutional.
 The Supreme Court is the highest court in
the land. Its decisions are final.
– No other court can overrule those decisions.
– Decisions of the Supreme Court set precedents—
new ways of interpreting the law.