9/2/2024
Foundation and Structure of U.S. Government
Tr. May
1
9/2/2024
2
9/2/2024
Amendments 11-27 = Other Amendments
3
9/2/2024
Three Branches of United States & its Authority
•Legislative - make laws
•Executive - carries out laws
•Judicial - evaluate laws
These three branches are coequal, meaning
that the power within each one is equal to the
others. This separation of powers ensures
that authority is never concentrated in the
hands of one person or body. Let’s explore
each branch more thoroughly and then see
how they interact.
Article 1 .Legislative Branch assigns the responsibility for making laws to the Legislative Branch
(Congress).
The Constitution gives Congress the power to:
collect taxes
borrow money
provide for the welfare of the people
create paper money and coins
create an army and navy
create courts of law and post offices
declare war on other nations
impeach or remove a president
The legislative branch is charged with making laws. It is
a bicameral branch of government, meaning that there
are two chambers of the legislature or Congress: the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
all people of the state
4
9/2/2024
Article 2 . The Executive Branch
The executive branch of the U.S. government includes the president, elected by the people to serve as head of state and
commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the vice president, and the cabinet, which consists of the department heads
appointed by the president.
The powers of the executive branch include
signing bills into law
vetoing bills
nominating federal judges and Supreme Court justices
issuing pardons
making treaties.
Solve disputes between the states
Make public policies
The President’s Cabinet
Cabinet
to advise the
president
is appointed by
the president and
then confirmed
by the Senate
5
9/2/2024
The 15 Cabinets of the executive branch
Department of Agriculture-the safety food and regulating farming·
Department of Commerce-economic development (trade, banking, economy)·
Department of Defense-the largest government agencies and armed force·
Department of Education-student achievements and equal access to a quality education·
Department of Energy-utilities and power supply, new technology·
Department of Health & Human Service-FDA, CDC, national institute of Health and administration·
Department of Homeland Security- the youngest cabinet department. The impetus for creating this department came in the aftermath
of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001. The DHS is home to the Secret Service.
Department of Housing & Urban development-home ownership and no discrimination to purchase home
Department of the Interior-protect, conserve, and nature national recourses (park and wildlife)
Department of Justice-the largest law office in world
Department of Labor-protects the safety and rights of workers
Department of State-diplomatic relations with other countries and works to develop and implement the foreign policies of
the president.
Department of Transportation-maintaining and ensuring the safety of the nation’s transportation network.
Department of Treasury-collects taxes, manages federal finances, produces coins and currency, and oversees the financial
and economic stability
Department of Veteran’s Affairs-medical care for veterans
6
9/2/2024
