Legislative Branch/Congress
What is the main job of the Legislative Branch?
To make laws
What is the main job of the Executive Branch?
To enforce the laws
What is the main job of the Judicial Branch?
To interpret or judge the laws
What is the main purpose for three separate branches of government?
The reason they are separated is so no branch becomes too powerful.
What are the first two steps to make a bill a law?
1. Think of an idea
2. Write the bill
What are the two chambers of Congress?
House of Representatives and Senate
Who is the leader of the Executive Branch?
The President
What is considered the highest court in the land?
The Supreme Court
How can the other branches limit the power of the Legislative Branch?
The Executive Branch can limit the power of the Legislative Branch by vetoing bills, calling special sessions of congress, recommend laws, and ask citizens to pressure Congress to act.
The Judicial Branch can limit the power of the Legislative Branch by declaring laws made in Congress unconstitutional.
After the bill is written, what are steps 3 & 4?
3. Debate the bill in the 1st chamber's committee
4. If approved by the committee, goes to the 1st chamber for debate.
How many members are in the House of Representatives and the Senate?
435 members in the House of Representatives
100 members in the Senate
What are the requirements to become President?
35 years old, natural born U.S. citizen, and live in the U.S. for the last 14 years
What are the requirements to become a Supreme Court justice?
None
How can the other branches limit the power of the Executive Branch?
The Legislative Branch can limit the power of the Executive Branch by overturning their vetos, impeach the president, and approve Presidential appointments.
The Judicial Branch can limit the power of the Executive by declaring executive actions unconstitutional.
What happens after the 1st chamber approves a bill?
5. If the bill passes the 1st chamber, it goes to the 2nd chamber.
What are the requirements to become a member of the House of Representatives?
25 years old, U.S. citizen for 7 years, and live in the state that they represent.
How does the President get choosen?
The President is elected by the Electoral College
They have to nominated by the President and approved by the Senate
How can the other branches limit the power of the Judicial Branch?
The Executive Branch can limit the Judicial Branch by appointing federal judges and Supreme Court Justices.
The Legislative Branch can limit the Judicial Branch by approving federal judges and Supreme Court Justices, impeach judges and justices, and creating the lower courts.
After the bill moves to the 2nd chamber, what are steps 6 & 7?
6. The bill goes to the 2nd chamber's committee.
7. If the bill passes the 2nd committee, it goes to the 2nd chamber for debate and voting.
What are the requirements to become a Senator?
30 years old, U.S. citizen for the past 9 years, and live in the state that you represent
What are the term limits for the President?
The President can serve 2 terms. Each term is 4 years so they can serve for a total of 8 years.
Why does the Supreme Court base on their decisions on the Constitution?
The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land
What is the purpose of the U.S. government?
To provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare
If both chambers approve a bill, who does the bill go to?
8. The bill goes to the President who can sign the bill or veto the bill.