Legislative Branch
the branch of government that makes the laws; head is Congress.
Executive Branch
the branch of the United States government that is responsible for carrying out the laws; head is the President
Judicial Branch
The branch of government that interprets laws; head is the Supreme Court
Veto
rejection of a bill
Senate
100 members; members serve 6-year terms; must be 30 to run
House of Representatives
435 members, members serve 2-year terms; must be 25 to run
Jobs of the President
Head of the Executive Branch; Commander-in-Chief of the military; appoints judges; makes treaties; creates the budget
Jobs of Congress
Head of the Legislative Branch; approves or rejects presidential appointments; declares war; coins money; sets taxes and the budget; can impeach
Impeach
to accuse government officials of misconduct in office, and vote to remove them from office
Judicial Review
the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of government unconstitutional
2/3
Votes needed in Congress to override a veto.
Supreme Court
Head of the Judicial Branch; hears court cases pertaining to the Constitution; can conduct judicial review
9
Number of Justices on the Supreme Court
Pardon
The President's power to legally forgive people for committing a crime.
Autocracy
government by one person or a small group having unlimited power
Democracy
a form of government in which citizens govern themselves by voting
Consensus
general agreement among a group of people
Separation of Powers
the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government
Direct Democracy
Government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials directly
Representative Democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.
Monarchy
the system of government in which a king or queen rules, and power is inherited
Theocracy
government headed by religious leaders or a leader regarded as a god
Dictatorship
form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority
Preamble
Introduction to the Constitution; sets the priorities for our government
Articles
Body of the Constitution; describes the jobs of the branches of government
Amendments
Changes to the Constitution that give citizens more rights