The Three Branches of Government

The main job is to carry out the laws

Made up of the president, vice-president, and the president's Cabinet

The president is elected by the citizens of the United States

Leader of the government and all branches of the military

Chooses federal judges

Can sign or veto a bill

Evaluates laws (Supreme Court, Federal and other courts)

The Justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate

Can overturn unconstitutional laws

Confirms or rejects presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court

Has the authority to declare war

The branch includes Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives)

Senate—There are two elected Senators per state, totaling 100 Senators

A Senate term is six years, and there is no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.

House of Representatives—There are 435 elected Representatives

A Representative serves a two-year term, and there is no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.

Makes laws (Congress, comprised of the House of Representatives and Senate)

The point of checks and balances was to make sure no one branch would be able to control too much power, and it created a separation of powers

The legislative branch makes laws, but the President in the executive branch can veto those laws with a Presidential Veto.

The legislative branch makes laws, but the judicial branch can declare those laws unconstitutional.

The President in the executive branch can veto a law, but the legislative branch can override that veto with enough votes.

The legislative branch has the power to approve Presidential nominations, control the budget, and can impeach the President, and remove him or her from office

The judicial branch interprets laws, but the President nominates Supreme Court justices, the court of appeals judges, and district court judges who make the evaluations.