Three Branches of Government

Explain the chief functions for each branch of government and give examples

Three Branches of Government Three Branches San Style

Three Branches ...

Legislative Branch

Congress- they make Federal laws Their powers are expressed in Article

I of the Constitution

Content Vocabulary

Expressed powers- powers directly stated in the Constitution

Enumerated powers- Legislative powers number 1-18 in Article I, Section 8

Elastic Clause- Congress can make laws that are “necessary and proper” to carry out their power.

Enumerated Powers of Congress Most of their power is listed in Article

I, Section 8 (Enumerated Powers) Powers include: Economics - levy taxes, borrow money, coin money, punish counterfeiting, regulate commerce(business)Defense- declare war, raise armed forces, provide a navy, punish piracy, provide navy

Legislative Branch cont.

Other powers – naturalize citizens, post office, patents and copyrights, establish courts, govern DC

Elastic Clause

“Necessary and proper” clause- lets Congress stretch its powers to meet situations the Founders couldn’t have anticipated- In McCulloch v Maryland the Supreme

Court ruled in favor of a broad interpretation of the Constitution

EXAMPLES? (Look at one of the Enumerated powers listed in Article I, Section 8 and give an example of the Elastic Clause being used)

The Executive Branch

The President- has the power to execute Federal lawsArticle II outlines the executive powers. The president’s power are more vague than Congress

1. Hire/fire 2. Agreements3. Emergency Action

Specific Powers of the President1. Commander and Chief of the armed forces2. Appoints the heads of executive

departments3. Makes treaties4. Appoints ambassadors5. Gives a State of the Union Address6. Calls Congress into special session7. Meets w/ heads of states8. Ensures that laws are executed9. Pardon people10.Commission military officers

The Executive Branch

Federal Bureaucracy- the vast number of employees that work for the gov’t

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court- has the power to interpret the Constitution and Federal laws and declare laws unconstitutional through judicial review

The powers of the Supreme Court are listed in Article III - justices serve life terms

Federal Court Jurisdiction

Dual Court System1. Federal Courts- power comes from

the Constitution and Federal laws2. State Courts- power comes from

state Constitutions and lawsCourt Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction (authority)is based on: 3. The subject matter of the case4. The parties involved

Three Branches of Government

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U.S.A Government: Branches of Government Game