POLS 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Supremacy Clause, Bicameralism, Enumerated Powers

• School: University of Georgia
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLS 1101
• Professor: Jamie Monogan

Document Summary

President = head of executive branch: elected by electoral college to 4-year term-2 term limit, job: assure that the laws of the land are running smooth. Independent judicial branch: justices serve for life after presidential nomination and state confirmation. Expressed powers (enumerated powers) specifically described in the constitution: article i, section 8, lists powers of congress. Elastic clause (necessary proper clause) is more vague: allows congress to pass all laws that are necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers, implied powers- anything congress does under this elastic clause. Separation of powers between: executive-carry out laws, legislative-make laws, judicial- interpret laws. Overlapping powers lead to checks and balances between branches. Supremacy clause of the constitution states that federal laws trump state and local laws (article vi: major concession by opponents of strong national government. States do have explicit protections and reserved powers (article iv & 10th amendment)