GETTING TO KNOW THE BRANCHES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

LEGISLATIVE

• This branch was established in Article One of our Constitution
• Powers Include: passing laws, impeachment, and treaty approval
• These powers are headed by the House, which makes laws and Senate, which impeaches and accepts the treaties

POSITIONS IN DEPTH

• Senate: Made up of 100 members
• Elected by their state to 6 year terms with elections rotating in thirds
• House: Made up of 435 members
• Elected to 2 year terms based on district in their state

EXECUTIVE

• Article Two of the Constitution establishes this branch
• They are responsible for enforcing all laws created by the Legislative branch
• This branch is made up of the President, Vice President, and Cabinet

POSITIONS IN DEPTH

• President: Elected to 4 year terms by the entire country and is the head of this branch
• Vice President: Assists the president and is elected with the president
• Cabinet: consists of 17 positions behind the VP ranging from Speaker of the House down to Security of Homeland Security
• These cabinet positions are chosen by the President

JUDICIAL

• Article Three of the Constitution establishes this branch
• Has the responsibility of determining if laws follow the Constitution
• This branch is made up of the courts, mainly the Supreme Court being its highest level

POSITIONS IN DEPTH

• Judges for district and appeal courts
• The main positions are held by 9 Justices
• They are one Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices
• These positions are assigned by the President as they become available as Justices can maintain their position until they retire

WHY HAVE 3 BRANCHES?

• So no single group/person has to much power
• This division of power allows for each group to check each other
• This system is known as checks and balances
• This is efficient system was made by our Founding Fathers

CHECKS AND BALANCES

• Prevents groups from getting too much power in government
• An example of this would be: The Legislative Branch creates a law
• This law can then be check and either approved or vetoed by the Executive Branch
• The judicial branch can check both the Executive and Legislative Branches by declaring their laws constitutional or not