The Branches of American Government By Mrs. Gottsponer.
Transcript of The Branches of American Government By Mrs. Gottsponer.
The Branches of American Government
By Mrs. Gottsponer
The Constitution created three Branches of Government
The First Branch of Government:The Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch
• Writes the laws• Confirms presidential appointments
(Supreme Court Justices)• Ratifies (approves) treaties with other
countries• Appropriates money (says how & where
money will be spent)• Can declare war
1st Part of the Legislative Branch:
The House of Representatives• Elected based on state population. • Arkansas has 4 Representatives:
Rick CrawfordTim GriffinSteve WomackMike Ross
• By law, there can be no more than 435 members
• Term of Office: 2 Years
2nd Part of the Legislative Branch:
The Senate• 100 Senators total• Arkansas’ Senators are:
Mark PryorJohn Boozman
• Term of Office: 6 Years
The Second Branch of Government: The Executive Branch
The Executive Branch
• Administers the laws
• Appoints Ambassadors, Judges, and other officials
• Negotiates treaties
• Conducts foreign policies
• Proposes laws
• Commands the armed forces
The President
• The President carries out the laws made by Congress.
• He can propose bills, veto them, or issue executive orders, which have the force of law.
• All are subject to judicial review.
The Cabinet
•Cabinet members advise the president and head their department.
•Order of succession: Vice President, Secretary of State, Sec. of the Treasury, Sec. of Defense, Attorney General, Homeland Security, etc., continuing in order of creation.
The Third Branch of Government:The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch
• The Judicial Branch interprets & enforces laws created by the Legislative & Executive branches
• The Judicial Branch may declare actions/laws unconstitutional
The US Supreme Court
• Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the President• Congress must approve of the appointment• Appointments are for life (or retirement)
The Three Branches
on the Federal Level