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The Three Branches of United States Government

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The Three Branches of United States Government

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Responsibilities/Powers:

Creates/changes laws

Declare war

Can impeach a federal official

Power to tax

Regulate commerce

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Responsibilities/Powers:

Interprets the law

Determine the constitutionality of a law and executive acts (Judicial Review)

Making ruling on individual cases

Conduct trials

Must hear appeals

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- The 1st Amendment is the most important one because of the liberties it protects for us all such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the freedom to petition.
- Amendment 5 would be the next most important because of how it protects the rights of the accused and a must due process of law. It assumes that a person is innocent, when accused of a crime, until proven guilty and holds that they go through the legal procedures before a penalty is decided.
- All amendments can be found in the U.S. Constitution under Article V that discusses the amendment process.

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CQ Article Proposals

- Should the structure of Congress under the Constitution be changed?

One of the proposals was to repeal the 17th amendment, which was established for the direct election of Senators. Upon the repeal, the election of Senators would go back to it's previously elections by state legislators.
Another proposed change was to add another, or third, house of Congress that would have the sole power to repeal existing federal laws. However, this was contradicted by how the White House already takes that place of power by how the President is able to veto bills from Congress and shape the legislation.

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Responsibilities/Powers:

Implements & enforces the laws

Appoints the heads of federal agencies

Sign legislation or veto bills

Negotiate/sign treaties

Issue executive orders

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1. Executive Branch checks over the Legislative Branch by being able to veto laws that Congress wants to pass.
2. The Legislative Branch may check the Executive Branch by passing law, in spite of the veto, with a two-thirds vote in each house (Senate & House of Representatives).
3. The Judicial Branch can check both the Executive and Legislative branches by declaring laws unconstitutional.