Text B. A SYSTEM OF «CHECKS AND BALANCES»
The Constitution provides for three equal and separate branches but each is to some extent dependent on the other two and there is a partial interweaving of their functions.
| Executive Branch | |
| President suggests legislation to Congress | President appoints federal judges |
| Issues executive orders, rules and regulations with the force of legislation | May grand pardons from punishment for offences against the United States |
| May veto legislation passed by Congress |
| Legislative Branch | |
| Appropriates for Executive | Appropriates funds for the Judiciary |
| May create or abolish Executive Departments | May create or abolish lower federal courts |
| May impeach and try members of the Executive Branch | May impeach and try members of the judiciary |
| May override a Presidential veto | Decides how many justices may sit on the Supreme Court |
| The Senate must approve Presidential appointments and treaties |
| Judicial Branch | |
| May declare Congressional legislation unconstitutional | May declare any Presidential or Executive action unconstitutional |
The national government’s power is not limited by states’ power. The only powers the states have are those the Federal government has not reserved for itself. But in a dispute the Federal government can and will use military force if necessary, e. g. integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1850s.
The powers of the national and state governments are limited by certain constitutional guarantees of civil liberties for individual citizens. These guarantees are known as the Bill of Rights. They are amendments to the original constitution. They forbid the government from restricting or limiting such civil liberties as freedom of speech, of religion, and of the press, and they guarantee to all citizens (at least in principle) certain legal procedures and rights.
The powers of the federal (national) government include the right to declare war; the right to tax; the right to borrow and coin money, and to regulate its value; the right to regulate commerce between the states; the right to maintain a postal system.
Every state has its own constitution. It also has the three-branches-of--government structure. State chief executives are called governors, and state legislators are usually known as representatives and senators.
The powers of the state are to control education, regulate corporations and businesses within the state, determine most election procedures, and regulate local governments. The states also make and administer civil (citizens’ private rights) and criminal laws.
The Constitution has been amended 26 times. An amendment may be proposed by the federal legislature or by a constitutional convention, or a meeting of representatives from two-thirds of the states. In either case the amendment must be approved by three-fourths of the state legislature.
5. Выпишите из текста эквиваленты следующих слов и выражений: принять конституцию; исполнительная власть; законодательная власть; судебная власть; осуществлять власть; система контроля и сдерживания; осуществлять контроль над какой – либо ветвью власти; гражданские права(свободы); гарантировать правовые процедуры и гражданские права; частично совпадать.
6. Выпишите из текста 2 предложения, содержащие сказуемое в активном залоге. Подчеркните сказуемое и определите его видовременную форму. Измените предложения таким образом, чтобы сказуемое имело все возможные грамматические формы.
7. Выпишите из текста 2 предложения, содержащие сказуемое в пассивном залоге. Подчеркните сказуемое и определите его видовременную форму. Переведите предложения на русский язык.
8. Составьте резюме, используя образец стр. 27.
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