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