Branches of Government Separation of Powers The Legislative

Branches of Government = Separation of Powers

The Legislative Branch: The US Congress Bicameral legislature: having 2 houses in Congress

The House of Representatives must: Be at least 25 years old. Be a U. S. citizen for the past 7 years. Live in the state they represent The HOR is based on the number of people living in a state. Each state is guaranteed 1 member. Each representative represents an area known as a congressional district. There are 435 members in the US House of Representatives.

Special House Powers • The House has special jobs that only it can do. It can: • Start laws that make people pay taxes. • Decide if a government official should be put on trial before the Senate if s/he commits a crime against the country.

The Senators must: Be at least 30 years old. Be a U. S. citizen for the past 9 years. Live in the state they represent Each state has 2 members in the US Senate. That means that all states are equal. A Senator’s term is 6 years.

Special Senate Powers • The Senate has special jobs that only it can do. It can: • Say yes or no to any treaties the president makes. • Say yes or no to any people the president recommends for jobs, such as cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, and ambassadors. • Can hold a trial for a government official who does something very wrong.

National vs. State Government Federalism: The idea that both the state & national government have powers. http: //bensguide. gpo. gov/9 -12/government/federalism. html

Exclusive Powers of the National Government and State Governments Expressed or Enumerated Powers = National Reserved Powers = State http: //bensguide. gpo. gov/9 -12/government/federalism 2. html

Shared or Concurrent Powers • • Collect taxes Build roads Borrow money Establish courts Make and enforce laws Charter banks and corporations Spend money for the general welfare Take private property for public purposes, with just compensation

Powers Denied to the National Government and State Governments = Limited Government • Grant titles of nobility • Permit slavery (13 th Amendment) • Deny citizens the right to vote due to race, color, or previous servitude (15 th Amendment) • Deny citizens the right to vote because of gender (19 th Amendment http: //bensguide. gpo. gov/9 -12/government/federalism 3. html

Role on the Job • Trustee – the people ‘trust’ that the official will vote in the constituent’s best interests • Partisan – the official acts as a member of his/her political party and votes with the party • Politico – the official votes partially as a ‘trustee’ and partially as a ‘partisan’ to COMPROMISE and get work done

Salary as of 2012 • President Pro-tempore: $223, 500 ? ? • Regular Senator: $174, 000 • Majority/Minority leaders: $193, 400 • Speaker of the House: $223, 500 Regular Representative: $174, 000 • Majority/Minority leaders: $193, 400

Non Salary Benefits & Privileges • Franking Privilege, tax break on maintaining 2 homes • Medical care, office space, retirement plan, gyms, travel allowance