The political system in Britain and USA

- regulate commerce

- admit new states to the Union

- consider and change budget

Senate - composed of 100 senators (2 of each state)

- elected for 6 years, every 2nd year 1/3 is changed

- must be 30 years old, 9 years US citizen, reside in state where he is voted

- Vice President - official presiding officer

- takes over president (sickness, death..)

function: - approve president’s appointments

- ratifying27 foreign treaties28 by 2/3 of majority

- try29 president who has been impeached30

- proposing, passing amendment of federal laws

- for bill become law - 2/3 of majority

House - established by constitution in 1789

- composed of 435 representatives (Congressman)

- voted in congressional district

- 25 years old, 7 years US citizen

- the country with the biggest population has the most members

- members serve 2 years

function: - originating31 bills relating to taxes

- controlling president (criminal actions, outcome elections

Creating new law: - everybody(!!!) can may draft a bill and seek for support of a

Senator or Representative

1. introduced in House or Senate(usually in both similar)

2. to committee for consideration

3. subcommittee for further study (hearings with experts)

4. rework language, and than back to Senate or House

5. bill is placed to calendar and than debated, amended and put to the vote (if it was introduced in only one house it goes to the other - it have to pass through both houses)

6. it goes to President - he can sign it a law or veto it and return unsigned with a statement of his objection

Congress can override32 a presidential veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both chambers

President - with Vice President elected officials of the Executive branch

- elections every 4 years

- can serve only two four-years terms (since 1951)

- candidate - over 35

- born in US, have lived in US 14 years

- if death, resignation, sickness → Vice President assumes33 presidency

function: - head of state and government

- ultimate defense control - Armed Forces

Commander in chief

- appoints ambassadors, ministers, consuls

Chief Executive

- if vacancy in some court - appoints judges

- his Executive staff - called Executive office

- it has 14 cabinet departments

(state, treasury, defense, justice, etc.)

- the head of cabinet advises president in

policy

- it includes number of independent agencies and Federal regulatory agencies

Judicial branch - the smallest and the most independent

- interprets the law of the land

- three level hierarchy: Federal district courts (94)

US courts of appeal (13)

US supreme court

- judges - appointed by President

- must be confirmed by the Senate

- US supreme court - 8 associate judges

- 1 Chief judge

- two types of law - federal and state

Elections President + Vice President - every 4 years

- chosen from respective party

Representatives - every 2 years

- candidates are chosen from the party

- or by voters in direct primary election

Senate - every 6 years

- each state has own electoral laws

- rights to vote: can’t be denied on the basic of race or color