6- STRUCTURE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• The legislative branch, also known as Congress, comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• Congress consists of representatives from each state.
• Congress proposes, writes, and votes on laws.
• Congress approves treaties.
• The executive branch includes the U.S. President and their cabinet.
• The president's role as Chief Legislator involves tasking executive department staff with proposing and supporting legislation.
• The president, as Chief Executive, is the highest military official and commander-in-chief.
• Serving as Chief Diplomat, the president meets and negotiates with foreign leaders.
• Examples of presidential diplomacy include Wilson at the Treaty of Versailles, Reagan meeting Gorbachev, and Jimmy Carter negotiating the Camp David Accords.
• The president must periodically inform Congress and the nation about the state of the union, which refers to the condition of the country.
• The judicial branch consists of federal courts and the Supreme Court.

Marbury v. Madison

• The Marbury v. Madison case was heard under Chief Justice John Marshall.
• It established judicial review.
• The case strengthened the judicial branch (Supreme Court).
• This was the first time a federal law was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Checks and Balances

• Checks and balances are in place to ensure that no single branch of government has excessive power.
• The president can be impeached and removed from office by Congress through a trial.
• When Congress passes a bill, the president can either sign it into law or veto it.
• Congress can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote of both houses.
• The president can negotiate treaties, but the Senate must ratify them.
• The Supreme Court can rule that a law is unconstitutional.
• The president appoints Supreme Court judges, but the Senate must approve these appointments.