U.S. Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch

• The main role is to make laws, represent the people's interests, and oversee the executive branch.
• It is bicameral, consisting of two chambers: The House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

• There are 435 members, with representation based on each state's population.
• Each representative serves a 2-year term.
• It initiates tax bills and has the power to impeach federal officials.

Senate

• Composed of 100 members, with each state having two senators.
• Senators serve 6-year terms.
• The Senate approves treaties and conducts impeachment trials.

Determining Members

• House representation is based on state population, which is reassessed every 10 years following the census.
• The Senate provides equal representation with 2 senators per state.

Representation

• Each individual is represented by 1 House Representative and 2 Senators.

Leadership

• The Speaker of the House leads the House of Representatives.
• The Vice President presides over the Senate, but the Senate Majority Leader is the actual leader.

How a Bill Becomes Law

• Any member of Congress can propose a bill.
• Bills must have identical wording in both the House and Senate to pass.
• The process begins with a member of Congress introducing the bill.
• The bill is then studied and amended in committee.
• The House has time-limited debate while the Senate has unlimited debate, allowing for filibusters.
• A simple majority is required to pass a bill.
• Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote.

Committees

• Committees review bills before they are voted on by the full House or Senate.
• Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority.

The Executive Branch

• The main role is to enforce laws and consists of the President, Vice President, Cabinet members, and federal agencies.
• The President appoints federal judges, cabinet members, ambassadors, and other high-level officials.

Jobs of the President

• Serves as Commander-in-Chief, overseeing the military.
• Acts as Head of State, the symbolic representative of the U.S.
• Negotiates treaties, which require Senate approval.
• Signs or vetoes bills passed by Congress.
• Appoints federal officials, subject to Senate approval.

Presidential Actions with a Bill

• The President can either sign a bill into law or veto it.
• Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority.

Executive Order

• A directive issued by the President to manage the federal government's operations.
• Executive orders can be challenged in court or blocked by future administrations.

Veto Defined

• The power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket Veto Defined

• Occurs when the President does not sign a bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays) while Congress is adjourned, resulting in the bill dying.

Departments

• Each department focuses on specific areas such as state, education, and treasury.
• The head of each department is called a Secretary (e.g., Secretary of Defense).

The Cabinet

• The President's advisors, including the heads of executive departments such as Defense, State, Treasury, and Justice.

Requirements to Become President

• Must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years.

Electoral College

• Electors are chosen based on the number of congressional representatives (House + Senate) each state has.
• A total of 270 electoral votes are needed to win the presidency.
• Presidential elections occur every 4 years.
• A president can serve a maximum of 2 terms.
• Each term is 4 years long.

Order of Succession

• Vice President
• Speaker of the House
• President Pro Tempore of the Senate
• Cabinet members, starting with the Secretary of State.

The Judicial Branch

• The main role is to interpret laws and ensure they align with the Constitution.
• Judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Judicial Review

• The power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Checks and Balances: Executive on Legislative

• Vetoing Legislation: The President can veto bills.
• Executive Orders: The President can issue orders to manage government functions.
• Calling Congress into Session: In emergencies.
• Pardon Power: The President can grant pardons for federal crimes.

Checks and Balances: Legislative on Executive

• Override Vetoes: Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority.
• Impeachment: The House can impeach the president, and the Senate holds the trial.
• Confirming Appointments: The Senate confirms presidential appointments.
• Treaty Ratification: Senate must approve treaties.

Checks and Balances: Judicial on Executive

• Judicial Review: Courts can declare executive actions unconstitutional.
• Interpreting Laws: Courts interpret laws passed by Congress and signed by the president.

Checks and Balances: Judicial on Legislative

• Judicial Review: Courts can declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional.

Separation of Powers

• The division of government into three branches, each with distinct powers to avoid concentration of authority.

Constitutional Principles

• Rule of Law: Everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.
• Social Contract: The agreement between the government and citizens to ensure mutual benefit.
• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect officials to represent their interests.
• Separation of Powers: Government powers are divided into three branches to prevent abuse.
• Checks and Balances: Each branch can check the powers of the others to maintain balance.
• Individual Rights: Rights that cannot be taken away, ensuring liberty and justice.
• Due Process: Legal procedures must be followed to ensure fairness.

First Amendment Freedoms

• Five Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom to Petition.

Examples of Freedoms

• Speech: Protesting, public speeches.
• Religion: Observing religious holidays, building places of worship.
• Press: Publishing newspapers, TV shows.
• Assembly: Organizing peaceful protests, rallies.
• Petition: Signing a petition for policy change.

U.S. Map

• There are 50 states and 5 U.S territories.