Branches Breakdown 1
The legislative branch primarily works on ________ .
Creating laws
The executive branch primarily works on ________ .
enforcing laws
Who makes up the legislative branch?
The legislative branch is made up of Congress. It is bicameral, meaning it consists of two chambers. It is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Senate⎯ There are two elected senators per state, totaling 100 senators. A senate term is six years, and there is no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve. Only one-third of the Senate's members are up for election every two years.
House of Representative⎯There are 435 elected representatives, divided amongst the 50 states in proportion to the state's population. States with more people have more representatives. A representative serves a two-year term. There's no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.
Executive Branch (President)
Identify a total of 3 other roles and responsibilities that the president has.
is commander in chief.
signs legislation into law.
has the power to make and sign treaties with other countries.
can issue executive orders.
has the authority of issuing pardons for federal crimes.
can appoint members of the Cabinet and Supreme Court justices.
The judicial branch primarily works on ________ .
interpreting the meaning of laws, applying them in specific cases, and making sure they follow the Constitution.
The legislative branch can affect citizens by...
The legislative branch can affect citizens by passing laws that shape everyday life, such as rules about safety, education, taxes, and the environment.
Executive Branch (Vice President)
Identify a total of 3 other roles and responsibilities that the vice president has.
supports and advises the president.
ready to assume the presidency if the president is unable to serve.
president of the U.S. Senate.
can cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate.
Who makes up the executive branch?
The executive branch is made up…
The President
The Vice President
The Cabinet
Federal Agencies and Departments
Checks and Balances
Identify three different ways the legislative branch can check the judicial branch.
The legislative branch can determine the jurisdiction of federal courts. (This means that they have the authority to decide what kinds of cases federal courts can hear and make rulings on,)
The legislative branch can decide the number of justices on the Supreme Court.
The legislative branch can propose Constitutional amendments.
The legislative branch serves as a check on the judicial branch through the power of approving presidential appointments.
Checks and Balances
Identify three different ways the legislative branch can check the executive branch.
The legislative branch can confirm or reject presidential appointments (who the president nominates to different federal positions)
The legislative branch serves as a check on the executive branch by having the power to impeach and remove the president, executive branch officials, and federal judges from office for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
The legislative branch can also override a presidential veto.
The legislative branch also has the power to approve or overturn treaties made by the president.
Executive Branch (Federal Agencies and Department)
What are the Federal Agencies and Department responsible for?
enforce laws and run government programs including the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and Social Security Administration.
Legislative Branch
Identify a total of 3 other roles and responsibilities of this branch.
has the authority to declare war
can reject or confirm presidential appointments
create and approve the annual budget for the country
can levy taxes which helps support government operations and programs
Checks and Balances
Identify how the executive branch can check the legislative branch.
The executive branch serves as a check on the legislative branch by having the authority to veto or reject bills passed by Congress.
Checks and Balances
Identify two different ways the executive branch can check the judicial branch.
The executive branch serves as a check on the judicial branch because the president has the power to appoint judges, ambassadors, and other officials with the approval of the Senate.
The executive branch is able to appoint federal judges and issue pardons.
The executive branch can affect citizens by...
The executive branch can affect citizens by enforcing laws and running programs that directly impact people, such as Social Security payments, disaster relief through FEMA, workplace safety regulations, and executive orders that influence immigration or national security.
Who makes up the judicial branch?
Supreme Court
Federal courts
Executive Branch (Cabinet)
What is the presidential cabinet responsible for?
carries out the day-to-day administration of the federal government.
Checks and Balances
Identify how the judicial branch can check the legislative branch.
The judicial branch serves as a check on the legislative branch through the power of judicial review. This means that the judicial branch can review laws passed by the legislative branch to ensure that they are consistent with the Constitution.
How Does The Legislative Branch Make A Law?
Name the first three steps.
Introduction— A member of Congress (either from the House of Representatives or the Senate) comes up with an idea for a law and officially introduces it.
Committee Review— The bill goes to a smaller group called a committee that focuses on the bill’s topic. The committee talks about the bill, may hold hearings, and can make changes. If they like it, the bill moves forward.
Debate and Vote— The bill is then debated by the full chamber (House or Senate). Members discuss the bill, propose amendments, and then vote. If a majority of members vote in favor, the bill moves to the other chamber of Congress.
The Judicial Branch can affect citizens by...
The Judicial Branch can affect citizens by interpreting laws and deciding whether they are constitutional, which can protect individual rights, ensure fair application of laws, and make important rulings like ending school segregation or safeguarding free speech and voting rights.
Judicial Branch
Identify the other roles and responsibilities of this branch.
The Supreme Court
The federal courts
The smaller (state and local) courts
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and is responsible for making final decisions on important constitutional matters and major cases that affect the entire nation. Its decisions set precedents, which guide how other courts handle similar cases in the future.
The federal courts handle cases involving federal laws, constitutional issues, and disputes that cross state lines. They also review decisions made by lower courts to ensure laws are applied fairly and consistently across the country.
The smaller (state and local) courts handle cases involving state laws, including criminal offenses, family matters, and local disagreements. These courts make sure laws are applied in everyday situations, helping communities function fairly and safely.
What is the judicial process?
Case Begins— A case starts when someone files a complaint or is charged with breaking the law.
Rights of the Accused— Anyone accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. Everyone has the right to a fair and unbiased trial, and they should be given a lawyer to represent them.
Trial Court— The case is first heard in a trial court, where both sides present evidence and arguments.
Decision— A jury (and sometimes a judge) decides the outcome of whether the accused is guilty or not guilty.
Appeal— If someone disagrees with the decision, they can appeal to a higher court. The appellate court reviews the case to see if there were any mistakes in the legal process. *Supreme Court: The highest court can choose to hear the case if it’s very important or involves constitutional questions. Their decision is final.
What is an executive order?
An Executive Order is a command from the President of the United States that tells the federal government how to enforce or use laws that already exist. It does not create a new law.
Checks and Balances
Identify how the judicial branch can check the executive branch.
The judicial branch serves as a check on the executive branch through the power of judicial review, which allows them to review the actions of the executive branch to ensure they are consistent with the Constitution. If the President or other executive branch officials abuse their constitutional authority, the judicial branch can declare their actions unconstitutional and strike them down.
How Does The Legislative Branch Make A Law?
Name the last three steps.
3. Other Chamber— The bill goes through the same steps in the other chamber: committee review, debate, and vote. If this group makes changes, both the House and Senate work together to agree on a final version.
5. Final Approval— Once both chambers agree, the bill goes to the President. The President can either sign it into law or veto it.
5. Overriding a Veto— If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can still make it a law. To do this, two-thirds of both the House and the Senate must vote to override the veto. If they succeed, the bill becomes a law even without the President’s approval.