Three Branches of Government

Daily Cornell’s Notes and ActivityOctober 12, 2010

Legislative Branch

• Intended to be the most important branch of the national government.

• Expressed powers – powers directly stated in the Constitution.– Express powers are itemized in Article I. These powers are

known as enumerated powers and deal with economic legislation:• Levy taxes, to borrow money, to regulate commerce, to coin money,

and to punish counterfeiting.

– The final enumerated power is called elastic clause that gives the right to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers expressed in the other clauses of Article I.

Executive Branch• Initiated as a response to the weakness of the Articles of

Confederation.– Federal bureaucracy, executive branch employees, stands ready to carry

the president and close advisors to any part of the nation and the world. – Vague Constitutional Powers

• Protect liberty, private property, and business. Hold the actions of the legislative branch in check.

• Under executive powers, the president may fire official in the executive branch, make agreements with foreign nations, or take emergency actions to save the nation, even though non of these powers is specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

– Specific Powers • Commander in chief, appoints – with Senate’s consent, heads of the executive

departments; may pardon people convicted of federal crimes except in cases of impeachment, or reduce a person’s jail sentence or fine … page 71.

Judicial Branch

• Jurisdiction of Federal Courts– Federal courts, including Supreme Court, whose powers derive

from the Constitution and federal laws.– Courts of 50 states, whose powers derive from state

constitutions and laws. – Every court has the authority or jurisdiction to hear certain

types of cases: the subject matter of the case and the parties involved in it.

– Federal courts try cases that involve United States laws, treaties with foreign nations, or interpretation of the Constitution. Cases involving law of the sea and disputes over actions and rights to sea. Also try cases involving bankruptcy.

Share Power and Conflict

• Conflicts are inevitable, however, the executive and legislative branches MUST cooperate to produce effective policies.

• The expansion of the presidential power has caused conflicts between the executive and legislative branches.

• Congress has the power to limit judicial authority but has reluctant to use it.

• The Supreme Court must depend on the president and the executive branch to carry out its decision.

Group Activity

• Choose one branch of the national government and highlight the following:– Importance– Qualification– Powers and responsibilities– Staff, salary, departments– Achievements, current actions, and so on.– Helpful website:

http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/federal.shtml