Branches of Government = Separation of Powers

Bicameral legislature: having 2 houses in Congress

The Legislative Branch: The US Congress

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 House of Representatives

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 Senate

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

Reserved Powers = StateExpressed or Enumerated Powers = National

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism2.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 (13th Amendment) • Deny citizens the right to vote due to race,

color, or previous servitude (15th Amendment)

• Deny citizens the right to vote because of gender (19th Amendment

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/government/federalism3.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: $223,500Regular 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