Standard CE.6a - Structure and Powers of National Government
The Constitution of the United States defines the structure and powers of the ______________government.
The powers held by government are divided between the national government in______________________,
D.C. and the governments of the 50 states.
Legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the national government are distributed among three distinct
and independent ____________ of government.
1. Consists of the ____________________, a bicameral legislature consisting of

the House of Representatives (___________ members, based upon populations of the
Legislative
Branch
states)

the Senate (_____________members—two per state.)
2. Makes the ______________ of the nation
3. _____________________ the _________________ budget
4. Confirms ________________________ appointments
5. Raises __________________ through taxes and other levies
6. Regulates ______________________ and
_____________________trade
Executive
Branch
7. Declares ______________________
1. Headed by the _____________________ of the United States, the chief executive officer of
the nation
2. ______________________ the laws of the land
3. ________________________ the ____________________ budget for congressional action
4. Appoints _______________________________, _____________________________, and
_______________________________________
Judicial Branch
5. Administers the ________________________________________________________
1. Consists of the ________________ courts, including the _______________
_________________, the highest court in the land
2. The Supreme Court exercises the power of ___________________________________.
3. The federal courts try cases involving __________________________________ and questions
involving interpretation of the ________________________________________.
Standard CE.6b - Separation of Powers / Checks & Balances
The powers of the national government are separated among three branches of the government in ways that
limit any one branch from ___________________ its power.
Separation of powers
The Constitution of the United States in Articles I, II, and III defines the powers of the
_________________________, __________________________, and ________________________
branches of the national government.
Checks and balances
Each of the three branches of the national government __________________the exercise of power by the
other two branches.
The legislative branch – Article _______
1. The Congress checks the president when legislators
 ________________ presidential _______________

___________________ and _____________________ a president.
2. The Congress checks the courts when legislators
 ____________________ or __________________________________ a federal judge/justice

_____________________ and convict judges/justices.
The executive branch – Article _____
1. The president checks Congress when the president
 proposes _______________________________

____________________ an ________________ budget for Congress to approve

call _____________________________________ of Congress

___________________________________________________ Congress has passed.
2. The president checks the courts when the president ___________________________________________.
The judicial branch – Article _____
1. The courts check Congress when judges/justices declare ________________________________________
to be unconstitutional.
2. The courts check the president when judges/justices declare ____________________________________
to be unconstitutional.
Standard CE.6c – National Lawmaking Process

Officials who are elected to serve in the national _____________________________ make laws.

National laws are made by ______________________.

All citizens can learn the importance of the individual’s participation in the policymaking process through
_________________ ____________________________ and ______________________________.
Legislative powers
1. ________________________: Specifically listed in the Constitution of the United States
2. ______________________: Used to carry out expressed powers
The lawmaking process in Congress
1. Introducing a bill by a _________________ or ______________________
2. Working in _________________________
3. _________________the bill on the floor of each house
4. ________________________ on the _______________________in each house
5. Sending the bill to the ________________________ to sign into _____________

Elected officials in Congress _______________________ and take action in response to ________________ or
issues.

________________________ and ______________________________________ help shape legislation.

The formal powers of Congress are limited by the ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

Citizens (including students) learn the importance of the legislative process through ________________
_______________________________and/or simulations.
Standard CE.6d – Powers of the National Executive Branch

The executive branch plays a key role in the _______________________________ process.

Presidential power is broad in both ___________________ and ____________________ affairs, but there are
limits on what the president can and cannot do.
Ways the executive branch influences policymaking
1. Proposing legislation in an annual speech to Congress
(_____________________________________________)
2. Appealing directly to the ____________________
3. Approving or vetoing ____________________________
4. Appointing ___________________ who carry out the laws

_________________________________________, ________________________, and _______________________
__________________________interpret and execute the laws.
The president exercises power as
1. ________________________________: Ceremonial head of the government
2.
_________________________________: Head of the executive branch of government
3.
________________________________________: Proposer of the legislative agenda
4.
__________________________________________: Head of the nation’s armed forces
5.
_________________________________________: Architect of American foreign policy
6.
__________________________________: Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch
7.
_______________________________________: Representative of all of the people.

Presidential power has _______________ in the years since the Constitution was ratified.
Standard CE.7a – Structure and Powers of the State Government

The form of government of the Commonwealth of Virginia is established by the ____________________
_______________________________________.

Legislative, executive, and judicial powers are _______________________ at the state level of
government. The ___________________ Constitution distributes power among the legislative, executive,
and judicial branches of the ____________ ________________________.
Virginia Capitol Building
Legislative Branch


The legislative branch is the
_______________________
_____________________, a
bicameral (2 houses)
legislature:
o House of
________________
o Virginia
_________________
They meet annually for a
_______________number of
days.
Executive Branch


The executive power is exercised by
the ____________________, who is
elected for a ______-year term of
office. The governor appoints
members of the________________,
who oversee specific functions of
government.
The lieutenant governor and the
attorney general are executive
branch _____________________
who are _________________ for a
_______-year term of office.
Judicial Branch

The judicial power is
exercised by a court
system that consists of
four levels of courts
1. _____________ Court
2. Court of ___________
3. ___________courts
4. _____________courts
and ____________and
domestic relations
courts (including small
claims courts and
juvenile and domestic
relations courts)
Standard CE.7b – Federalism
The Constitution of the United States of America establishes the principle of federalism, which is:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________.
The expansion of the national government’s powers into areas traditionally reserved to the states has altered
the relationship of states to the national government.

The U.S. Constitution establishes a federal form of government in which the _______________________
government is supreme.

The powers not given to the national government by the Constitution of the United States of America are
___________________________________________________.

The Constitution of the United States of America denies certain powers to both the ___________________
and ______________________ governments.
Primary responsibilities of each level of government
1. National: Conducts __________________________________, regulates _______________________, and
provides for the ________________________________
2. State: Promotes ____________________________, ____________________, and __________________

Tensions exist when __________________________________________________________ state actions
without adequate _________________________.
Standard CE.7c – The State Lawmaking Process
Members of the Virginia General Assembly are ____________________ to make state _______________.
The lawmaking process in the Virginia General Assembly
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________the bill on the floor of ________________ house
4. ______________________ on the bill in _______________ house
5. ______________________ the bill to the ______________________________ to sign into law

Elected officials in the ______________________________________________________ write laws and
take action in _________________________________________________________________________.

___________________________ and ____________________________________ help shape legislation.
The primary issues in the legislative process at the state level
A study of Virginia’s
public safety
1. ______________________________: To _________________ an informed and engaged citizenry (i.e.,
establish minimum standards for local schools)
2. ______________________________: To _________________ and __________________ the health of
its citizens (i.e., fund health benefits)
3. ______________________________: To _________________ natural resources (i.e., improve water
quality in the Chesapeake Bay)
4. ______________________________: To _________________ a biennial (____year) budget prepared by
the governor
5. ______________________________: To levy and _______________________ taxes
Standard CE.7d – Executive Branch of Virginia

The executive branch of the Virginia state government _________________________ the laws and plays
a key role in the ____________________________________ process.

The _________________ of Virginia exercises the formal powers granted by the
_______________________ _______________________
In carrying out both the formal and informal powers of the office, the governor fills several roles, including
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. __________________________________________
4. __________________________________________
5. __________________________________________
Cabinet secretaries and departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. _____________________________ aspects of business and the economy
4. __________________________________________
Standard CE.8a – Local Government in Virginia
The units of local governments in Virginia are political subdivisions created by the _______________________________________.
The units of _____________________________________ in Virginia are counties, towns, and cities. Local governments
__________________________ legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
COUNTIES
TOWNS
CITIES
Each Virginia county has an elected
Each Virginia town has an elected town
Each Virginia city has an elected City
____________ of __________________,
__________________, which exercises
_____________, which exercises
which exercises legislative powers,
legislative powers, enacting
legislative powers, enacting ordinances
enacting ____________________ (local
_____________________ (local laws)
(local _____________) and adopting the
laws) and adopting the county’s
and adopting the town’s ___________
city’s annual budget. A _____________
________________ ______________.
______________.
is elected either by the voters or the
city council members.
Each Virginia county has an elected or
appointed _______________________,
A _____________ is elected either by
which oversees the operation of the K–
the voters or the Town Council
12 public schools in the county.
members.
Each Virginia city has an elected or
____________________ school board,
which oversees the operation of the K–
12 public schools in the city.
In Virginia counties, towns, and cities, a __________________________ may be hired by the elected ________________________
branch to oversee the operations of the __________________________ government.
In every Virginia locality, _________________________ resolve judicial disputes. Judges of the circuit courts, district courts,
juvenile and domestic relations courts, and small claims courts hear cases in each locality.
The Virginia Constitution requires that voters in every locality elect a ______________________, a __________________ of the
circuit court, a _____________________________ of revenue, and a _______________________________.
Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to:
1.
___________________________ state and local laws
2.
___________________________ public health
3.
___________________________ public safety
4.
___________________________ children
5.
___________________________ the environment
6.
___________________________ land use
7. _________________ and ________________________ taxes.
Standard CE.8b – Local Powers
The authority of local governments in Virginia is derived from the ____________________.
All ____________________ of local governments in Virginia are given to them by the Constitution of
_________________________ and acts of the ______________________ ____________________.
Not all counties and cities are given the _____________________ powers.
Cities have __________________________ listing their powers.
Standard CE.8c – Individuals and Ordinances
Counties, cities, and towns adopt and enforce ___________________________(local laws) to provide
services for their residents.
All citizens can learn the importance of the individual’s participation in the policymaking process through
direct _______________________ and ___________________________.
An elected _________________of______________________ is the ______________ legislative body in
counties and is responsible for passing laws (ordinances) for the county.
An elected ___________________ is the local legislative body in independent ___________________ and
incorporated ____________________.
___________________________ can have the greatest influence
on the decisions made by local government officials.