A/ READING

Political system of the USA

1. Before you read match the expressions 1-7 with their definitions A-G:

The USA is a constitutional republic of fifty states. The President is the head of state as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

The legislative branch consists of the House of Representative and the Senate, forming the US Congress. The Congress has the right to enact laws, declare war and confirm or reject presidential appointments.

The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, representing the population of 50 states. They are elected every 2 years, must be a minimum 25 years of age and be a US citizen for at least 7 years.

The Senate comprises 100 Senators, two for each state. They must be a minimum of 30 years of age and a US citizen for at least 9 years. The Senators serve six-year terms and one third is re-elected every 2 years. In order to pass legislation and send it to the President for his signature, the Bill must be approved by a majority in the House and the Senate. If the President vetoes the bill, it returns to the Congress for a new vote.[1]

The executive branch comprises the President, his advisors, departments and agencies. It is responsible for enforcing and implementing laws. The President’s Cabinet advises him and carries out everyday administration. It includes the Vice-President and the heads of 15 executive departments, called the Secretaries for Defence, Interior, etc.[2]

While the executive and legislative branches are elected by the US citizens, the judiciary is appointed by the President with the Senate’s assent. The Congress has power to determine how many Supreme Court Justices will there be. The Congress also establishes inferior courts (US district courts and courts of appeal. The Judges and Justices, unlike the Congressmen, serve no fixed term but may be convicted by the Senate.[3]

The US Constitution establishes the system of ‘checks and balances’ among the three branches of power. In practice it means that for example if the Congress passes a law, the President has a right to veto it, but can be overridden by the Congress and the Supreme Court may invalidate a law as ‘unconstitutional’.[4]

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 804