Greetings 8th Graders!

We will all be able to use this page for updates to our class notes from the previous day and additions to our study guide.

Currently we are working towards our U.S. constitution test. Our first installment here will be a break-down/review of the Three Branches of government.

Please see me with questions about this blog.



LEGISLATIVE: makes laws

CONGRESS
- must meet at least one time each year

Senate
- 100 senators
- 2 senators from each state
- term: 6 years

Qualifications:
- at least 30 years old
- citizen for 9 years

Presiding officer:
- the Vice president, or
- an elected President pro tempore

House of Representatives
- 435 representatives
- 435 representatives are divided among the 50 states. States with larger population get more representatives.
- term: 2 years

Qualifications:
- at least 25 years old
- citizen for 7 years

Presiding officer:
Speaker of the House


EXECUTIVE: carries out laws

President and Vice President
- elected by the Electoral College who are elected by the people at the November general election
- a person can be elected president only two times
- term: 4 years

Qualifications
- at least 35 years old
- a native-born citizen
- lived n the U.S. for 14 years before the election

Cabinet
- 14 cabinet departments
- 14 cabinet officers
- appointed by the President but must be approved by the Senate
- term: determined by President. Serve as long as the President wants them
- meet whenever the President wants
Supreme Court


JUDICIAL: explains laws

- 9 justices
- serve for life unless impeached
- appointed by the President but must be approved by the Senate

Circuit Court of Appeals
12 courts throughout the U.S.
- serve for life unless impeached
- appointed by the President but must be approved by the Senate

District Courts
91 trial courts throughout the U.S.
- serve for life unless impeached
- appointed by the President but must be approved by the Senate