PowerPoint Presentation

The 3 Branches of Government In the United States of America

Mrs. Julie Thomas Social Studies Class

The 3 Branches of Government in the US include:

Executive(President)Judicial(Supreme Court)Legislative(Congress)

Part I: The Executive BranchThe 3 Branches of Government in the US:

The Executive BranchThe President:Head of the Executive Branch Manager of the federal govt.Makes sure laws are enforced and obeyedPromises to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States Includes the President and Vice President

The Executive BranchThe President:Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, MarinesPerforms ceremonial dutiesInteracts with leaders of other countries

The Executive BranchThe President:Appoints the Supreme Court JusticesHas the authority to pardon criminalsCan veto laws passed by Congress

The Executive BranchThe President:Must be at least 35 years old to be a candidateMust be a natural-born US CitizenHe (and the VP) serves a 4-year term and may serve a maximum of 2 terms

Part II: The Legislative BranchThe 3 Branches of Government in the US:

The Legislative Branch

Includes The Senate & the House of Representatives (Congress) Congress:Includes Senate & House of RepresentativesCan declare war on behalf of the USHas the power to collect taxes & borrow money from other countriesCan control how much the US trades goods & services with other countries

The Legislative Branch

Congress:Can impeach the President & other high officialsCan still pass laws the President vetoesCan reject who the President appoints to his office (cabinet)Can charge the Supreme Court Justices with wrongdoing

The Legislative Branch

Congress:Can reject who the President appoints to the Supreme CourtHouse introduces spending bills to Congress Determines how the govt will spend our tax dollarsSenate approves/rejects candidates President appoints to his cabinet

The Legislative Branch

House of Representatives:Number of reps is based on states populationOne representative for every few hundred thousand peopleServes a 2-year term, must be 25 years-old, a US citizen for at least 7 years, & live in the state he/she will represent

The Legislative Branch

Senate:2 senators elected from each state, no matter the populationServe a 6-year term with staggered elections-both senators from one state arent elected the same yearMust be at least 30 years-old, be a US citizen for at least 9 years, & live in the state he/she will represent

Part III: The Judicial BranchThe 3 Branches of Government in the US:

The Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court:Highest court in the United StatesDecisions are absolute and finalSurpass all other laws or court decisions in the USInterprets the meaning of the US Constitution and reviews lawsDecides on cases involving states rightsIncludes The Supreme Court

The Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court:Can rule whether laws passed by Congress are unconstitutionalCan rule whether a Presidents actions are unconstitutionalJustices (judges) are appointed for life termsCurrently 9 Justices, including 8 Associates and 1 Chief JusticeAppointed by the President and approved/rejected by the Senate

Web Sites to visit for more information:Kids.govCongress For KidsKids Ed Websites