SS.7.C.3.8 - Analyze the structure, functions, and processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. |
Vocabulary
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ambassador
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a person sent as the chief representative of his or her own government to another country
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bicameral
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having two chambers (e.g. the two houses of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives)
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bill
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a proposal for a law
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cabinet
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people appointed by the president to head executive departments of government and act as official advisers to the president
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committee
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a group of House or Senate (or both) members that discusses and debates proposed bills; they may also discuss issues of interest to the country
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executive order
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an order that comes from the U.S. President or a government agency and must be obeyed like a law
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majority leader
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a position where a Member of Congress is elected by the majority party to serve as the chief spokesperson for that party and to manage and schedule the business of either house
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minority leader
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a position where a member of Congress is elected by the minority party to serve as the chief spokesperson for the party and to support the majority party in managing and scheduling the business of either house
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president
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the head of the executive branch
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President pro tempore of the Senate
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the person who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is not present
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Speaker of the House
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an office identified in Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution; the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, usually the highest ranking member of the majority party
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U.S Representative
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a member of the U.S House of Representatives; representatives are elected in districts throughout each state
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U.S. Senate
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the upper house of the U.S. Congress
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U.S. Senator
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a member of the U.S. Senate elected to represent an entire state; there are two senators per state
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U.S. Supreme Court
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the highest court of the United States; it sits at the top of the federal court system
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Congress
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the national legislative body of the U.S., consisting of the Senate, or upper house, and the House of Representatives, or lower house
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executive branch
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the branch of government that enforces the laws made by the legislative branch
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federalism
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a system of government in which power is divided and shared between national, state, and local government
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judicial branch
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the branch of government that interprets the laws made by the legislative branch
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legislative branch
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the branch of government that creates laws
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U.S. House of Representatives
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the lower house of the U.S. Congress
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The diagram below shows some of the steps involved in creating a Florida state law.
16. What is the next step in the lawmaking process?
The governor signs the bill into law.
The bill goes to the Senate for action.
The people vote on the bill in an election.
The bill goes to the Supreme Court for a hearing.
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17. What do the highest courts of Florida and the United States have in common?
Both have the same number of justices.
Both have chief justices.
Justices serve for life with good behavior.
Justices serve for set terms of office.
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The table below describes presidential vetoes.
18. Based on the table, how has the legislative process been impacted by presidential vetoes?
The president's' views are not reflected in public policy.
The president's' views are reflected in public policy.
Congress represents the will of the people.
Congress represents the will of the states.
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Application Activity
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