US Government Structure and Powers

Legislative Branch

• Powers: Oversight, controlling the budget (purse), making laws (legislation)
• Committee Structure/Appointed Positions: Often polarized (divided)
• Spending/Legislation: Pork-barrel spending (projects benefiting specific districts) and representative models of legislation
• Checks on Other Branches: Checks on executive and judicial powers through the court system; Article I outlines these powers
• Commerce Clause: Legally allows Congress to regulate commerce
• Confirmation: Process of approving presidential appointments
• Bill Passing Process: Detailed steps for passing laws through the House and Senate
• Leadership Roles: Specific leadership roles in the House and Senate

Executive Branch

• Budget Creation: Plays a key role in creating the budget
• Veto Power: The power to reject legislation
• Presidential Honeymoon Period: Initial high approval period for a new president
• Checks on Other Branches: The executive branch checks the judicial and legislative branches
• Communication: Communication methods such as the "bully pulpit," signing statements, and open communications; Article II outlines powers
• Nomination Power: Power to nominate individuals to various positions
• Five Roles: Five key roles of the executive branch should be noted
• Formal/Informal Powers: Both formal and informal powers impact the executive branch

Bureaucracy

• Delegated Powers: Discretionary authority given to agencies
• Rule-Making Authority: Power to create rules and regulations
• Regulation: Enforces regulations and controls the bureaucracy
• Iron Triangle: Interplay between bureaucracy, interest groups, and legislators
• Civil Liberties vs. Business: Conflicts between civil liberties and private property interests

Judicial Branch

• Appointments & Tenure: Appointment of judges and their terms of service
• Checks on Other Branches: Checks on both executive and legislative branches; Article III details powers
• Legal Terms: Precedent (following prior decisions) and legitimacy crisis are important terms
• Supreme Court Role: The Supreme Court's role as the highest court
• SCOTUS Cases/Documents: Landmark SCOTUS cases and documents like Baker v. Carr, Federalist 51, Federalist 78, Shaw v. Reno, and Marbury v. Madison
• Concepts: Different applications of the above principles

Concept Applications

• SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): Regulates the securities industry, appointed by the president
• FAA (Federal Aviation Administration): Regulates air travel, appointed by the president
• FDA (Food and Drug Administration): Regulates food and drugs, appointed by the president
• First Step Act: Legislation related to criminal justice reform; method of passage should be noted

This quiz covers the powers, structure, and processes of the Legislative and Executive branches of the US government. You'll explore key concepts such as oversight, budget control, checks and balances, and the bill-passing process. Test your knowledge on the roles and functions that shape American governance.