NANO-ck

Mise-à-jour le 25 March 2024, 2 minutes de lecture

US Constitution

March 4, 1789

A living document - meaning changes over time and possible to amend

• 2/3 Congress and 3/4 states to amend
• Only 27 amendments since 1787

Federal system

Power is shared between the federal government and the states

Federal government

• 3 branches
  • Legislative
  • Executive
  • Judicial
• Checks and balances
  • Each branch has some control over the other branches
  • Prevents one branch from becoming too powerful
• Separation of powers
  • Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities
  • Prevents one branch from becoming too powerful

A separation of powers

Constitution

• Legislative
  • Congress
    • Senate
    • House of Representatives
• Executive
  • President
    • Vice president
• Judicial
  • Supreme Court

Federal government : The executive branch

President + Vice president elected for a 4 year term

• Nominates the officials to the executive branch
• Commander in chief of the armed forces
• Can veto laws passed by Congress
• Can grant pardons
• Can make treaties with foreign countries
• Can appoint judges to the Supreme Court

Federal government : The Legislative Branch : Congress

• Congress meets at the US Capitol in Washington DC to write, debate, and pass bills which will then be passed to the president for approval
• States are represented differently by
  • Congressmen
  • Senators
• Elections (every 2 year)

Impeachment

• Step 1 : A charge of misconduct if filed against the president
• Step 2 : House of Representatives : Majority vote
• Step 3 : Senate : 2/3 vote

=> The president is removed from office if found guilty

Federal government : The Judicial Branch : Supreme Court

• Consists of 9 justices
• Appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate
• Serve for life or until retirement
• Interprets the laws and ensures their constitutionality
• Has the power of judicial review