Sebastian Nguyen (MV) - Branches Study Guide (PDF)

Government The Legislative Branch Study Guide Vocabulary: The Legislative Branch - The branch of government that makes laws. It includes Congress, which has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. House of Repre...

Government The Legislative Branch Study Guide Vocabulary: The Legislative Branch - The branch of government that makes laws. It includes Congress, which has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. House of Representatives - The lower house of Congress where the number of representatives is based on a state's population. Members serve two-year terms. Senate - The upper house of Congress where each state has two senators, regardless of size. Senators serve six-year terms. Bill - A proposed law presented to Congress for approval. It must pass both the House and Senate before becoming law. Veto - The president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress. Congress can override it with a two-thirds vote. Committee - A group of legislators who review and revise bills. Most bills are studied by committees before reaching a full vote. Legislative - Related to making laws. It describes the work done by Congress. Legislator - A person who makes laws, such as a member of Congress. Legislature - A group of elected officials with the power to make laws. In the U.S., Congress is the federal legislature. Upper House and its characteristics - The Senate, known for equal state representation and longer terms (6 years). Senators confirm appointments and approve treaties. Lower House and its characteristics - The House of Representatives, known for proportional representation and shorter terms (2 years). It handles bills related to taxes and spending. 17th Amendment - Allowed voters to directly elect senators. Before this, state legislatures chose them. Additional Powers (House and Senate) - The House can initiate tax bills and impeach officials; the Senate confirms appointments, ratifies treaties, and conducts impeachment trials. Steps of Making a Law - A bill is introduced, reviewed by committees, debated, voted on, and sent to the president for approval. Census - A count of the population every 10 years. It determines how many House representatives each state gets. Bicameral - A legislature with two chambers, like the House and Senate. This structure balances power between large and small states. Constituents - The people legislators represent. Legislators consider their opinions when making decisions. Gerrymander - Redrawing voting district lines to benefit a political party. It can affect election outcomes. Expressed Powers - Powers specifically listed in the Constitution. Examples include the power to tax and regulate trade. Implied Powers - Powers not directly stated in the Constitution but needed to carry out expressed powers. They come from the “Necessary and Proper” Clause. Impeach - To formally charge a government official with wrongdoing. The House initiates it, and the Senate conducts the trial. Filibuster - A tactic used in the Senate to delay a vote by speaking for a long time. It can be ended with a 60-vote majority. Content: The Great Compromise: An agreement during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that created a bicameral legislature. It combined the Virginia Plan (representation by population) and the New Jersey Plan (equal representation) by forming the House of Representatives (based on population) and the Senate (equal representation). Number of Congresspersons in each house: 100 in senate, and 435 in Representatives How many congresspersons represent the State of California in each House? The House has 52 members, the Senate has 2. Specific Names of Congressmen who represent you: Mark DeSaulnier - Representative How often is the Census taken? Every 10 Years. Describe the term length of members of the House as well as Senators: House of Representatives: 2-year terms. Senate: 6-year terms. Describe the role of the Speaker of the House: The Speaker leads the House of Representatives, sets the legislative agenda, and presides over debates. They are second in line for the presidency after the Vice President. Describe important legislative powers of congress: Congress can make laws, impose taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, and approve the federal budget. Describe the most important non-Legislative power of Congress: The power to impeach and remove federal officials, including the president, for misconduct. List the U.S. Presidents who have been impeached: Has any president even been removed from office? Impeached Presidents: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump (twice). Removed from Office: No president has ever been removed from office by the Senate. Describe the U.S. Government’s Checks and balance system: The system ensures no branch becomes too powerful. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws. Each branch can limit the others (e.g., presidential veto, Congressional override, and judicial review). Describe the work of any Committee: Committees review proposed legislation, hold hearings, and make changes before a bill goes to the full House or Senate. For example, the House Ways and Means Committee deals with tax and revenue issues. Basic job of senators and representatives: Senators - Represent their entire state, propose and vote on laws, and approve treaties and appointments. Representatives - Represent their district, propose and vote on laws, and address local concerns. The most well-known task of Congress is: Making and passing laws. Describe the purpose of the Bill of rights in relation to the powers of federal government: The Bill of Rights protects individual freedoms and limits federal government power by guaranteeing rights such as free speech, due process, and protection from unreasonable searches. Who is the current Speaker of the House until the next Congress begins? Mike Johnson Describe the power Congress has in regards to government spending: Congress controls government spending through the power of the purse. It approves the federal budget, allocates funds, and oversees how money is spent. Short Answer/Written Essays: Directions: Section 4: (SHORT ANSWER) Read each of the following questions and answer them in paragraph form: 1. Describe three similarities and three main differences between the qualifications and privileges of members of the House and the Senate? The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature with two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both chambers share the responsibility of making laws, proposing, debating, and voting on bills. For a bill to become law, it must be approved by both the House and the Senate and signed by the president. Members of both chambers take an oath to uphold the Constitution and enjoy privileges like immunity from arrest during sessions, except for serious crimes. They are also protected by the Speech and Debate Clause, allowing them to speak freely during official duties. Despite these similarities, the House and Senate have key differences. House members must be at least 25 years old and citizens for 7 years, while senators must be 30 and citizens for 9 years. House members serve 2-year terms, keeping them closely tied to local issues, while senators serve 6-year terms, allowing focus on national matters. House members represent districts within states, whereas senators represent entire states. These differences balance short-term and long-term perspectives in Congress, ensuring both local and national interests are considered. Together, the House and Senate work to create laws and represent the diverse needs of the American people. 2. Describe the process of a bill becoming a law. You can be creative and have the bill take any path you choose as long as it is explained thoroughly. The process of a bill becoming a law starts when a member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. The bill is then assigned to a committee that specializes in the bill’s subject. The committee reviews, discusses, and may revise the bill before voting on whether to send it to the full chamber. If approved by the committee, the bill goes to the floor for debate and a vote. In the House, debate time is usually limited, while in the Senate, members can speak for as long as they wish, sometimes leading to a filibuster. If the bill passes in one chamber, it moves to the other chamber, where it goes through a similar committee review, debate, and voting process. If both the House and Senate approve the bill but with different versions, a conference committee resolves the differences and produces a final version. Both chambers must then vote on the final version. If the final version passes both the House and Senate, the bill is sent to the president. The president can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action. If the president vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. If signed or the veto is overridden, the bill officially becomes a law. JUDICIAL BRANCH  STUDY GUIDE VOCAB: Supreme Court: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the United States, consisting of nine justices. It has the final say on interpreting the Constitution and federal laws. Anti Federalist concerns: Anti-Federalists feared a strong central government and wanted protections for states' rights and individual freedoms. Their concerns led to the creation of the Bill of Rights. Federal Judge: A federal judge is appointed to serve in a U.S. District Court, Court of Appeals, or Supreme Court. They are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Unofficial Requirements: Ivy Leagues degrees, Supreme Court Justice Clerkship, lower justice court. Textualist/Originalist: Textualists or Originalists believe the Constitution should be interpreted based on its original meaning when written. They focus on the exact words and historical context of the text. Living Constitutionalist: Living Constitutionalists believe the Constitution's meaning evolves over time. They adapt interpretations to address modern societal changes and values. Original Jurisdiction: Original jurisdiction allows a court to hear a case first, rather than on appeal. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving states or foreign diplomats. Article III: Article III of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch. It defines the powers and structure of the federal court system, including the Supreme Court. District Court: A District Court is the lowest level of the federal court system where trials are held. These courts handle civil and criminal cases under federal law. Court of Appeals: The Court of Appeals reviews decisions from District Courts. It does not hold trials but determines if legal errors occurred during the original case. Appellate Jurisdiction: Appellate jurisdiction is the authority to review and revise the decision of a lower court. Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court exercise this power. Circuit: A circuit refers to a regional division in the federal Court of Appeals system. There are 13 circuits that handle appeals from specific geographic areas. Judicial Review: Judicial review allows courts to determine if laws or actions violate the Constitution. This power was established by the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803). Majority Opinion: The majority opinion explains the Supreme Court's decision and reasoning, supported by most of the justices. It sets a legal precedent for future cases. Dissenting Opinion: A dissenting opinion is written by justices who disagree with the majority decision. It explains their reasoning and offers an alternative perspective. Current Court (Members and Leaning): The current Supreme Court has nine justices: six conservative-leaning (Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett) and three liberal-leaning (Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson). This conservative majority influences the court's rulings on major issues. 1. List the three levels of the Federal Court System: District Court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court 2. What level of Court hears the majority of legal disputes in the United States? District Courts handle most legal disputes, including federal trials and lawsuits. These are the first level of the federal court system. 3. List the types of cases Federal Courts have jurisdiction over: Federal courts handle cases involving federal law, the Constitution, disputes between states, and cases involving the U.S. government. They also oversee cases with foreign governments or citizens from different states. 4. The lowest level of the federal court system where trials are held and lawsuits are begun is: The District Court is the lowest level of the federal court system where trials start. 5. What type of Jurisdiction does the District Court have? District Courts have original jurisdiction, meaning they hear cases first before any appeals. 7. Who appoints District Court/Court of Appeals Judges? The President appoints these judges, and they must be confirmed by the Senate. 9. What court is above the District Court in the Federal Court System? The Court of Appeals is the next level above the District Court. 10. What type of Jurisdiction does the U.S. court of appeals have? The U.S. The Court of Appeals has appellate jurisdiction, meaning it reviews decisions from lower courts. 11. Why did congress establish the U.S. courts of appeals? Congress created these courts to reduce the Supreme Court's workload and handle appeals from District Courts. 12. What do Appeals Courts Judges do? They review lower court decisions to determine if legal errors occurred during the trial. 13. What rulings can an Appeals Court panel make? They can uphold, reverse, or send back the lower court's decision. 14. What types of Cases does the Supreme Court hear? The Supreme Court hears cases involving constitutional issues, federal law, and major disputes between states. 15. Can Supreme Court rulings be appealed? No, Supreme Court rulings are final and cannot be appealed. 16. How can Congress avoid Supreme Court rulings? Congress can pass new laws or propose constitutional amendments to counter Supreme Court decisions. 17. How many justices make up the Supreme Court? There are nine justices on the Supreme Court. 18. Who is the United States Chief Justice? The current Chief Justice is John Roberts.  The Executive Branch STUDY GUIDE Vocabulary: The Executive Branch: The Executive Branch enforces the laws and is headed by the President of the United States. It includes the Vice President, Cabinet, and various federal agencies. POTUS: POTUS stands for President of the United States, the head of the Executive Branch. The President serves as the nation's chief decision-maker and leader. Prime Minister vs President: A Prime Minister leads a parliamentary government and is chosen by the legislature. A President leads a republic, often elected directly by the people. Commander in Chief: The President serves as the Commander in Chief of the military. This role gives the President authority over military operations and decisions. Chief Legislator: The President influences lawmaking by proposing bills and signing or vetoing legislation. They work closely with Congress to shape the legislative agenda. Chief Diplomat: The President directs U.S. foreign policy and negotiates with other countries. They represent the U.S. in international matters. Chief of the Party: The President acts as the leader of their political party. They support party candidates and help set the party's agenda. Chief Executive: As Chief Executive, the President ensures laws are carried out and oversees federal agencies. They also appoint officials to lead departments. Chief of State: The President serves as a symbolic representative of the United States. This role involves performing ceremonial duties, like hosting state dinners. Chief Citizen: The President represents the American people and promotes public interests. They are expected to act as a role model for citizens. Chief Guardian of the Economy: The President monitors the economy and works to promote growth. They propose policies to reduce unemployment and manage federal spending. Executive Departments: Executive Departments are specialized government agencies, like the Department of Defense. They help the President carry out policies. War Powers Act: The War Powers Act limits the President's ability to send troops into combat without Congress's approval. It requires troop withdrawal after 60 days unless Congress grants an extension. “Leader of the Free World”: This informal title refers to the President’s role as a global leader promoting democracy and freedom. It highlights the U.S.'s influence on world affairs. Vice President: The Vice President supports the President and serves as President of the Senate. They step in if the President cannot perform their duties. Executive Agreements: Executive agreements are international agreements made by the President without Senate approval. They are typically less formal than treaties. Executive Privilege: Executive privilege allows the President to keep certain communications private. This ensures confidentiality for national security and decision-making. 22nd Amendment: The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms in office. It was passed after Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency. 25th Amendment: The 25th Amendment outlines presidential succession and procedures if the President becomes unable to serve. It allows the Vice President to assume the role temporarily or permanently. Executive order: An executive order is a directive issued by the President that has the force of law. It allows the President to manage federal operations without Congress. Pardon: A pardon is an official forgiveness for a crime granted by the President. It removes legal penalties for the offense. Treaties: Treaties are formal agreements between countries. They require approval by two-thirds of the Senate to take effect. Ambassador: An ambassador is an official representative of a country who works in foreign nations. They handle diplomatic relations on behalf of their government. Cabinet: The Cabinet is a group of advisers chosen by the President to lead executive departments. They assist in making decisions and implementing policies. Federal Bureaucracy: The federal bureaucracy consists of government agencies and departments that carry out laws and policies. It includes millions of employees who handle day-to-day operations. Political Appointees: Political appointees are chosen by the President to hold key government positions. They typically serve for the duration of the President's term. Content: Requirements to Become U.S. President: A candidate must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years. How often is the Presidential Election? How long is one Presidential Term? What is the Term limit for the Presidential Office? Presidential elections occur every four years. One presidential term is four years, and the term limit is two terms (set by the 22nd Amendment). How is the number of Electoral Votes for a State Decided? Each state’s electoral votes equal its number of Senators (2) plus its number of Representatives in the House, which varies based on population. How many electoral Votes are needed to win in a Presidential Election? A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency out of 538 total votes. What are the official duties of the Vice President? The Vice President serves as President of the Senate and casts a tie-breaking vote. They also take over if the President cannot perform their duties. Describe the Presidential Succession List: 1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate 4. Cabinet members, starting with the Secretary of State. Describe the President’s role as Legislative Leader: The President proposes legislation, works with Congress to pass laws, and can sign or veto bills. Describe the Constitutional Powers of the President: The President can veto legislation, appoint federal judges, negotiate treaties, and serve as Commander in Chief of the armed forces. What is the State of the Union Address? An annual speech where the President outlines the nation's current status and legislative goals to Congress. What is the Executive Office of the President responsible for? The EOP assists the President in executing policies, managing tasks, and advising on important issues. What is the largest EOP agency? The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the largest agency in the Executive Office of the President. Describe the National Security Council: The NSC advises the President on national security and foreign policy matters. It includes the Vice President, Secretaries of State and Defense, and other key officials. Who is the most important official in the White House Office? The Chief of Staff is the most important official, managing the President's schedule and overseeing White House operations. Main job of the Office of Management and Budget is: The OMB prepares the federal budget and monitors spending by executive agencies. Main job of the National Security Council: The NSC’s main job is to advise the President on national security and foreign policy issues. 4 Members of the Inner Cabinet are: 1. Secretary of State 2. Secretary of the Treasury 3. Secretary of Defense 4. Attorney General Short Answer/Written Essays: Directions: Section 4: (SHORT ANSWER) Read each of the following questions and answer them in paragraph form. 1. Choose 4 of the President's 7 roles studied in class? Describe the President’s job in each of the four roles chosen, using as many details as possible/vocabulary to enhance your score. Also include at least one specific example of the President in each of the 4 roles you chose to describe. One of the President’s key roles is Commander in Chief, where they lead the U.S. military and oversee defense operations. This includes making critical decisions during wartime and deploying troops when necessary. For example, President Franklin D. Roosevelt served as Commander in Chief during World War II, coordinating military strategy with Allied forces to defeat the Axis powers. As Chief Diplomat, the President shapes U.S. foreign policy and represents the nation in international affairs. They negotiate treaties, sign executive agreements, and meet with foreign leaders to maintain global relationships. For instance, President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972, a diplomatic move that improved relations between the two countries. In the role of Chief Legislator, the President influences Congress by proposing legislation and either signing bills into law or vetoing them. They also address Congress during the annual State of the Union to outline legislative priorities. President Lyndon B. Johnson, for example, signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a major piece of legislation aimed at ending racial discrimination. Lastly, as Chief Executive, the President ensures that federal laws are faithfully executed and oversees the operations of the federal government. This includes appointing heads of executive departments and federal agencies. For example, President George Washington established the first Cabinet, appointing leaders to manage key departments like State, Treasury, and War.