Branches of the U S Government Three Branches

Branches of the U. S. Government

Three Branches

Three branches of government ed 101. bu. edu

The Legislative Branch Congress comprised of the House of Representatives & Senate

Senate • 100 senators • 2 senators for each state • 6 -year terms • The Senate gives advice and consent to important Presidential appointments

House of Representatives • 435 voting members • Two-year terms • Members - at least 25 -years-old & US citizens for at least 11 years.

The Capitol building where Congress meets

Some parts of the Executive Branch President Cabinet (Advisors) Secretary of State Vice President Secretaries of State, Treasury, Agriculture, Education, Labor, Health & Human Services, Commerce, Defense, Interior, Justice, Housing & Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Veterans Affairs, & Homeland Security (all confirmed by Senate)

The President • • Head of State & government Military Commander-in-chief Chief Diplomat Preserves, protects & defends the constitution

The Vice President • • 2 nd highest executive official Succeeds president if he dies, resigns, or is removed

Secretary of State • • 3 rd highest executive official The President’s chief adviser on US foreign policy

The Judicial Branch • • The Supreme Court Justices appointed for life by President but must be confirmed or approved by Senate

Judicial Branch Supreme Court Justices --photo from The Christian Science Monitor

Review: Branches of U. S. Government http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=pyq. EAPYnhjk http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=a. O 1 zrn. R 6 q 7 g&NR =1

Checks and Balances

How a bill becomes a law See Schoolhouse Rock video: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=m. EJL 2 Uuv-o. Q