US Constitution

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial BranchesChecks and BalancesAmendment Process

Federal System

Legislative Branch

• 1. Members of the House of Representatives serve two year terms.

• 2. To be a member of the House, you must be at least 25 yrs. of age. To serve in the Senate you must be at least 30.

• 3. All tax bills originate in the House of Representatives.

• 4. Senators serve 6 year terms

Legislative Branch

• 5. Congress has the power to declare war.• 6. The Senate has 100 members and the

House has 435. Congress together has 535.

Executive Branch

• 7. Presidents serve 4 year terms.• 8. You must be 35 to serve as President.• 9. The President makes treaties.• 10. The President nominates ambassadors,

public ministers, and other officers of the US.• 11. The President is Commander in Chief.• 12. The Senate tries the President in all

impeachment actions.

Judicial Branch

• 13. Supreme Court Justices serve for life.• 14. The Federal courts review federal laws or

laws of the USA.• 15. The federal courts have the power to settle

disputes between states.• 16. There are nine members of the Supreme

Court.

Checks and Balances

• 17. The Legislative branch can override a veto with 2/3 vote.

• 18. The federal courts review all laws and treaties.• 19. The Senate must approve all ambassadors, judges

and cabinet members.• 20. The Senate must approve treaties made with

foreign countries.• 21. The President has the power to veto laws.• 22. The Legislative Branch can impeach federal

judges.

Amendment Process

• 23. Congress and state legislatures have the power to propose amendments.

• 24. Three fourths of the state legislatures must approve amendments.

• 25. There are 27 amendments.• 26. The 19th amendment gave women the

right to vote.

Federal System

• 27. Congress controls the coining and printing of money.

• 28. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. States can not pass laws that conflict with Constitution.

• 29. The full faith and credit clause requires states to accept the legality of the laws of other states.

• 30. Congress organizes the Electoral College and decides when the vote will be cast.