1. The judicial branch
1.1. handles cases which arise under the US Constitution or under any law or treaty, as well as any controversy to which the federal government is itself a party. Federal courts also hear disputes involving governments or citizens of different states.
1.2. The system of state courts
1.2.1. minor state courts
1.2.2. general trial courts
1.2.3. state appeals courts
1.2.4. state supreme courts
1.3. system of Federal courts
1.3.1. The Supreme Court
1.3.1.1. The Constitution limits the Supreme Court to original jurisdiction over two types of cases: those that involve two or more of the states and those that affect foreign ambassadors and other public ministers.
1.3.1.2. determining whether legislation or executive acts conform to the Constitution. - judicial review.
1.3.1.3. eight associate justices and a Chief Justice
1.3.2. 13 courts of appeals
1.3.2.1. 1) an improper courtroom procedure or 2) an incorrect application of the law
1.3.3. 94 the district courts
1.3.4. judge
1.3.4.1. life tenure
1.3.4.2. appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate
1.3.5. Special courts
1.3.5.1. The Court of International Trade
1.3.5.2. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims
1.3.5.3. United States Court of Claims
1.3.5.4. The Probate Court
1.3.5.5. Court of Customs
1.3.5.6. Patent Appeals
1.3.5.7. Tax Court
1.4. attorney
1.5. judge
1.6. jury
2. executive branch
2.1. The Cabinet
2.1.1. 15 departments
2.1.1.1. the State Department
2.1.1.1.1. the Secretary of State
2.1.1.1.2. Ambassador
2.1.1.2. the Department of Justice
2.1.1.2.1. the Attorney General
2.1.1.2.2. FBI
2.1.1.2.3. INS
2.1.1.2.4. INTERPOL
2.1.1.3. Department of Defence
2.1.1.4. Department of Homeland Security
2.1.1.5. Department of Treasury
2.1.1.6. Department of Commerce
2.1.1.7. Department of Agriculture
2.1.1.8. Department of Health and Human Services
2.1.1.9. Department of Transportation
2.1.1.10. Department of Education
2.1.1.11. Department of Energy
2.1.1.12. Department of Housing and Urban Development
2.1.1.13. Department of Labor
2.1.1.14. Department of the Interior
2.1.1.15. Department of Veterans Affairs
2.1.2. manage the affairs of their departments
2.1.3. represent their departments
2.1.4. advise the President
2.2. president
2.2.1. ELECTIONS
2.2.1.1. the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every fourth year
2.2.1.2. Primary elections
2.2.1.2.1. closed primaries
2.2.1.2.2. open primaries
2.2.1.3. caucuses
2.2.1.4. nominating convention
2.2.1.5. the campaign
2.2.1.5.1. Rallies, debates, advertising
2.2.1.6. General Election (Popular Vote)
2.2.1.6.1. electors
2.2.1.7. Electoral College
2.2.1.8. (January 20) Inauguration
2.2.1.9. lame duck
2.2.2. A natural-born citizen of the United States. A resident of the United States for 14 years. At least 35 years old.
2.2.3. A presidential term is four years.
2.2.3.1. 2 times
2.2.4. to carry out the program of the government as directed in the Constitution and in laws made by Congress
2.2.5. he recommends to Congress much major legislation and the amounts of money which should be appropriated to carry out government functions
2.2.6. commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
2.2.7. has the right to veto legislation passed by Congress
2.2.8. a pocket veto
2.2.8.1. . If Congress is in session ten business days after the President receives the bill, the legislation will become a law without the President’s signature. However, if Congress adjourns within ten business days of giving the bill to the President, the bill dies. When the President kills a bill in this fashion, it is known as a pocket veto. In this case, Congress can do nothing to override his decision.
2.2.9. impeachment
2.3. vice president
2.3.1. running-mate
3. legislative branch
3.1. CONGRESS
3.1.1. the Senate
3.1.1.1. 100 members, two each from the 50 states, serve six-year terms
3.1.1.2. must be at least 30 years of age, must have been a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and must be a resident of the State he or she will represent in Congress.
3.1.1.3. confirms or rejects appointments made by the President, ratifies treaties, tries impeached officers, elects a Vice President if no candidate has a majority of the electoral vote
3.1.1.4. filibustering
3.1.1.4.1. a delaying tactic
3.1.1.5. riders
3.1.1.5.1. amendments that have little or no relation to the main bill
3.1.2. the House of Representatives
3.1.2.1. 435 representatives elected every two years
3.1.2.2. the Speaker of the House
3.1.2.2.1. The majority party elects the Speaker
3.1.2.2.2. Power
3.1.2.2.3. is next in line for the presidency after death of the President and Vice President
3.1.2.3. They are elected for a two-year term. A Member of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years of age, must have been a United States citizen for at least 7 years, and must reside in the State from which he or she is sent to Congress.
3.1.2.4. the sole right of originating revenue bills, impeaching civil officers and electing a President if no candidate has a majority of the electoral vote
3.1.3. has a life span of two years.
3.1.4. the powers to assess and collect taxes, to regulate foreign and interstate commerce, to coin money, to establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court, to declare war and to raise and maintain an army and navy.
3.1.5. the right to propose amendments to the Constitution whenever two thirds of both Houses shall consider it necessary.
3.1.6. Override veto (2/3 majority). Impeach President and Vice President. Ratify appointments and treaties
3.1.7. Each party gets a number of committee members equal to the percentage of seats it won in the last elections.
3.1.8. party whips
3.1.9. Congressional committees
3.1.9.1. Standing committees
3.1.9.1.1. The House has 22 and the Senate has 16
3.1.9.2. Special committees
3.1.9.3. a temporary conference committee