U.S. Government

1. Legislative Branch

1.1. 2 chambers of congress

1.1.1. HOR:

1.1.1.1. Age: 25

1.1.1.2. Citizenship: U.S citizen up to 7 years

1.1.1.3. Residency: resident for the state you represent

1.1.1.4. # of HOR: 435 members

1.1.1.5. Term length: 2 yr. terms

1.1.2. Senate:

1.1.2.1. Age: 30

1.1.2.2. Residency: resident in the state you represent

1.1.2.3. Citizenship: 9 years

1.1.2.4. # of senators: 100

1.1.2.5. Term length: 6 yr. terms

1.2. Powers: Among other powers, the legislative branch makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies.

1.3. Enumerated/ Expressed powers: most powers of congress are listed in Article 1

1.3.1. Examples: levy taxes, borrow money, coin money, declare war

1.4. Elastic Clause: gives congress ability to stretch its powers to meet the needs that the founders did not anticipate.

1.4.1. Examples: first national bank & supreme court

2. Executive Branch

2.1. President: 35

2.1.1. Term length: 4 years

2.1.1.1. Limit for terms: 2/8

2.2. Vice President: 35

2.2.1. Term length:

2.2.1.1. Limit for terms: 2/4

2.3. Powers: Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces. Commission officers of the armed forces. Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment) Convene Congress in special sessions. Receive ambassadors. Take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Wield the "executive power"

2.4. Roles of President: chief of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, party chief, & chief citizen

2.5. Names of Executive Departments: secretaries of agriculture, commerce, defense, education, energy, health and human services, homeland security, housing and urban development, interior, labor, state, transportation, treasury, and veterans affairs

2.6. # of Executive Departments: 15

3. Judicial Branch

3.1. Qualifications for Supreme Court: not really any qualifications

3.2. Sup. Court: selected: The President nominates someone for a vacancy on the Court and the Senate votes to confirm the nominee

3.3. Sup. Court: approved: confirmed by the United States Senate

3.4. # of justices: 9

3.5. Title of head head justice: Supreme Court of the United States and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

3.6. How long can they serve: 16 years

3.7. Powers: Being able to veto, or reject, a proposal for a law. Appoint federal posts, such as members of government agencies. Negotiate foreign treaties with other countries. Appoint federal judges. Grant pardons, or forgiveness, for a crime.