THE

CONSTITUTION

The
Preamble

The
Amendme
nts

Lays out the

purpose

A change in
the
Constitution

Introduces the
Constitution

There have
been 27
amendments
to the
Constitution.

The Branches of
Government

Legislative Branch
The legislative branch
is called Congress
and is made up of two
Houses (parts):
-The House of
Representatives
The U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C

- The Senate.

The Executive Branch

The executive
branch is headed by
the president.
The president is the
commander-in-chief
of the armed forces.
Vice President
Cabinet (Sec. of State, etc.)

The President
The president is elected
to a four year term.
The president can only
serve two terms.
The president must be a
citizen by birth
The president must be
at least 35 years old.

The Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch of
the federal
government is
headed by the
Supreme Court.
There are 9 Supreme
Court justices, who
are appointed for life.

The Congress
THE LEGISL ATIVE BRANCH OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Congress

The House
of
Representati
ves
The Senate

Congress has 535 voting

members:
- 435 Representatives
- 100 Senators

Both are
chosen
through
Direct
Election

The House of
Representatives
Its the dynamic institution of the federal government.

The states are represented on a population basis and are divided into congre
districts or constituencies.
The members are elected every two years.
The Speaker, is elected by the House.
Should the President and Vice-President die before the end of their terms,
it is the Speaker who becomes President .

The Senate
Its the conservative counterweight to the populist House of Representative
Each state has two senators who have been chosen by the electorate

Senators are elected every six years, but one-third of the senate is elected ev
two years
A vacancy is filled until the next congressional elections by the nomination
of the State Governor
The Senate has the special privilege of unlimited debate

The most
important tasks
Scrutinizing the policies and actions of the executive.
Upholding the interest of states and districts.
Controls the nations finances and its permanent
specialist staff helps Congress consider and change
the budget presented each year by the President.

Separation of Power
The United States Government
Federal Government
"Federalism"

Legislative Branch

House of Representatives

Senate

Committee

Committee

Sub-Committee

Sub-Committee

Executive Branch

Judical Branch

President

Supreme Court

Vice President

Cabinet Advisors

Courts of Appeals

District Courts

U.S. Bankruptcy