1 U.S. National Government. 2 Motivation The role of each branch of our government is outlined in...

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U.S. National GovernmentU.S. National Government

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MotivationMotivation• The role of each

branch of our government is outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

• The government has also had to adapt to changes over time.

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What is the function of the legislative branch?

What is the function of the legislative branch?

• Legislative branch has 535 members

• Primary role is to make new laws & address issues

• Elected representatives are known as members of Congress

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What are the two parts of Congress?

What are the two parts of Congress?

• At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Congress was made a Bicameral body

• The two parts of Congress became the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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What are the two parts of Congress? (cont’d)


• House of Representatives• Larger body of Congress

• 435 voting members, allotted to the states according to population

• One representative for each district in a state

• Two-year terms

• Focusing on concerns in individual districts

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When does Congress meet?When does Congress meet?

• Each term of Congress• Starts on January 3 in odd-numbered years• Lasts for two years• Is divided into two sessions

• Congress may also meet in special sessions.

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• Senate

• 100 members, 2 from each state

• Each senator represents entire state

• Terms of 6 years

• No more than one-third of senators up for reelection at same time

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The roles of Congressional leaders?

The roles of Congressional leaders?

• At beginning of each term, party members in each house choose leaders.

• Speaker of the House• Is most powerful leader within the House of Representatives

• Steers legislation

• Takes charge of floor debates

• Is in line of presidential succession

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What are the roles of congressional leaders? (cont’d)


• Senate has no leader with power comparable to that of the Speaker of the House.

• The presiding officer, the vice president, rarely attends Senate debates & votes only in case of a tie

• The acting chairperson of the Senate is the president pro-tempore.

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• Floor leaders• In the Senate: the real leaders

• In the House: most powerful besides the Speaker

• Speak for their parties on issues

• Push bills along

• Try to sway votes

• Party “Whips”• Help the floor leaders

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What is the function of congressional committees?


• Detailed work of lawmaking is done in committee

• Standing Committees—permanent committees that continue their work from session to session

• Select Committees—committees created to do a special job for a limited period

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• Joint committees—committees that include members of both houses

• Conference committees—temporary committees that help the House and Senate agree on the details of proposed laws

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• Longest-serving committee member from majority party usually becomes chairperson

• A chairperson of a standing committee decides• When and if a committee will meet• What bills will be studied• Who will serve on which subcommittees

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What types of bills does Congress consider?

What types of bills does Congress consider?

• Private bills concern individual people or places

• Public bills apply to the entire nation and involve general matters

• Congress also considers resolutions

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How does a bill become a law?How does a bill become a law?

• Every bill starts with an idea.

• Sources include• Members of Congress• Private citizens• The White House• Special-interest groups

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How does a bill become a law? How does a bill become a law?

• Only senators & representatives can introduce bills

• Every bill is given a title & number

• The bill is sent to the appropriate standing committee

• The chairperson of the committee decides if the bill merits attention

• Standing committees have life-and-death power over bills

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• Bills approved in committee are considered by the full House or Senate• Bills are put on calendars in chronological order• The Rules Committee controls the House schedule

• Bills reach the floor, members debate the pros & cons

• They may also discuss amendments• The Senate allows riders to be tacked onto a bill

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• In the House, the Rules Committee sets the terms for debate

• Senate has fewer rules.• No limit on time • No requirement to address topic• Can filibuster• Can end filibuster with cloture

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How does a bill become a law? (cont’d)


• Members of Congress may vote on a law in several ways:• Voice vote• Standing vote• Computerized voting system• Roll-call vote (Senate)

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• A simple majority of all members that are present is needed to pass a bill

• If a bill passes in one house, it is sent to the other

• If either house rejects a bill, it dies

• The Senate and House must pass a bill in identical form

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• After both houses of Congress approve a bill, it goes to the president.

• Four possibilities• President signs bill, and it becomes law• President vetoes bill• President does nothing for ten days

• Result depends on whether Congress is in session• Congress can override a presidential veto

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What is the function of the executive branch?

What is the function of the executive branch?

• The president heads the executive branch.

• The presidency is the top political job in the country.

• The president is considered to hold the most important job in the world.

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What are the requirements for the presidency?

What are the requirements for the presidency?

• The president heads the executive branch

• Presidential elections take place every four years

• The presidency is the top political job in the country

• To become president, a person must be• At least 35 years old• A native-born American citizen• A resident of the United States for at least 14 years

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How is the president elected?How is the president elected?

• To elect a president, the United States uses an indirect method called the Electoral College• Each state appoints electors• They will vote for one of the major candidates.• When people vote for a candidate, they are voting for the

electors pledged to that candidate

• Each state has as many electoral votes as the total of its U.S. senators and representatives, 538 electors

• Formal Electoral College election takes place in December

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What is the basic structure of the federal court system?

What is the basic structure of the federal court system?

• Federal court system defined in Article III of the Constitution• Established a national Supreme Court• Gave Congress power to establish lower federal courts

• Congress has created two kinds of lower courts• Appeals courts• District courts

• Federal court system exists alongside 50 separate state court systems.

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What types of cases are heard in federal courts?

What types of cases are heard in federal courts?

• Federal courts have jurisdiction over• Cases involving the Constitution• Violations of federal laws• Controversies between states• Disputes between parties from different states• Suits involving the federal government• Cases involving foreign governments and treaties• Cases based on admiralty and maritime laws• Cases involving U.S. diplomats

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What is the function of U.S. district courts?

What is the function of U.S. district courts?

• Most federal cases are handled in the 94 district courts

• All federal cases must begin in a district court. They have original jurisdiction

• District courts try both criminal and civil federal cases

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What is the function of the U.S. courts of appeals?


• U.S. courts of appeals• Also known as federal appeals courts, circuit courts of

appeals, or appellate courts• Review decisions of lower district courts• Circuit courts (12) each cover a specific area• A thirteenth appeals court has nationwide jurisdiction to

hear special cases

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Function of U.S. Courts of Appeals Function of U.S. Courts of Appeals • Appeals courts do not hold trials • They may decide an appeal by

• Upholding the original decision• Reversing the decision• Remanding the case

• Appeals-court judges do not decide• Guilt or innocence of defendant in criminal case• Which side should win in a civil lawsuit

• Appeals-court judges do decide• Whether defendant’s rights have been protected• Whether defendant received a fair trial

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• In most cases, the decision of the appeals court is final

• When an appeals court makes a decision, one judge writes an opinion for the court.• Detailed explanation of legal thinking behind decision• Sets a precedent within district

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How are federal judges selected?

How are federal judges selected?

• President appoints federal judges, with approval of Senate.

• Federal judges may have their jobs for life, unless they are removed through impeachment.

• President usually follows senatorial courtesy.• Applies mainly to selection of judges for district courts and

other trial courts

• More than 550 judges preside over district courts

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What is the function of the Supreme Court?

What is the function of the Supreme Court?

• Supreme Court’s main job is to decide whether laws are Constitutional

• Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in• Cases that involve diplomats from foreign countries• Cases in which a state is involved

• In all other instances, Supreme Court hears cases on appeal from lower district courts or federal regulatory agencies

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What is the function of the Supreme Court? (cont’d)

What is the function of the Supreme Court? (cont’d)

• The Supreme Court is not required to hear all cases presented to it

• The Supreme Court has final authority in cases involving• The U.S. Constitution• Acts of Congress• Treaties with other nations

• The Supreme Court’s decisions are binding on lower courts

Foundations of United States Citizenship

Lesson 5, Chapter 6, U.S. National Government

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