The Legislative Branch

1. The Legislative Branch is also known as Congress.
2. Congress is a two-house legislature.
   1. Senate
      1. All states are represented equally.
      2. Each state has two Senators.
   2. House of Representatives
      1. Representation is based on a state's population.
3. The Legislative Branch makes the laws
   1. A proposal for a law is called a bill.
   2. A bill can begin in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
   3. After its introduction, a bill can be approved, denied or amended.
   4. Both Houses of Congress must approve the same bill before it can be sent to the President to be signed.

 

 

The Executive Branch

1. The leader of the Executive Branch is the President.
2. The President carries out the laws.
   1. Numerous departments and agencies report to the President and help him carry out the laws.
3. The President can make suggestions for laws and encourage Congress to pass them.
4. The President does not have to sign a bill.  It is called a veto when the President “kills” a bill by refusing to sign it.

 

 

 

The Judicial Branch

1. The Judicial Branch is the Supreme Court and the rest of the Federal court system.
2. The Supreme Court resides at the top of the Judicial Branch.
   1.  The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land.
   2. The Supreme Court makes the final decision regarding court cases.
3. The Supreme Court decides whether or not a law is Constitutional.

 

Click below to hear the Three Branches of Government song

 

Instructions

When you are ready, click the Final Assessment button below. This will take you to Edmodo where you will complete a 20 question end-of-unit test. If you feel like you need to review some more, click the flag which will take you back to the Home page. From there you can review any of the material that you need to review.