Transcript Constitution Power Grab Game

A Few Things to Know…
4 slides of notes
A Few Terms…
 Separation of Powers – the three way division of
powers to ensure no one branch has too much
power.
 Checks and Balances – each branch has powers that
check, or limit, actions, and each branch has certain
powers only it can do.
 Ex post facto –You cannot be committed of a crime
if it was not a law when you broke it.
 If you die your hair pink, you can’t get in trouble if
they make a law against that next year.
Checks and Balances - Congress
 POWERS
 Passes bills into laws
 Can pass laws over President’s veto if 2/3 of Congress approve
 Approves appointment of federal court judges
 CHECKS on POWERS
 President can veto bills
 Supreme Court can rule a law is unconstitutional
Checks and Balances - President
 POWERS
 Can approve or veto laws
 Carries out the laws
 Appoints federal court judges
 CHECKS on POWERS
 Congress can pass laws over veto with 2/3 vote
 Congress can impeach or remove the president for high crimes
or misdemeanors
 Senate approves the president’s appointments to federal courts
Checks and Balances - Courts
 POWERS
 Interprets the meaning of laws
 Can rule laws passed and presidential actions unconstitutional
 CHECKS on POWERS
 Congress can propose an amendment to the Constitution if the
Supreme Court rules a law unconstitutional
 Senate can refuse to approve appointments to federal courts
 Congress can impeach and remove a federal judge from office
Constitution Power Grab Game
Rules
 1.You will be split into 3 groups: Legislative, Executive, and
Judicial
 2. In each round I will give 1 branch an unconstitutional power
grab. The other two branches have 2 minutes to find why it is
unconstitutional. Look through the entire Constitution!
 3. When your branch thinks they have the answer, they yell check
and must be ready to answer immediately. If they are wrong,
time keeps going.
 4.You get 10 points if you successfully find the answer. If no
branch finds the answer, then the power grab branch gets 10
points. There are no penalties for wrong answers.
ROUND 1
 President: A serious economic crisis takes place in the US.
The President decides to run for a 3rd term.
 Congress: Congress passes a law taking 10% of the value on
lumber being exported.
 Courts: The court rules that the government may not issue
patents because of the need for technological advance.
ROUND 2
 President: The president declares war on China.
 Congress: Congress passes a law that people from
Washington cannot drive cars in Oregon because of
pollution.
 Courts: Since Washington DC is not in any state, the courts
rule the residents cannot vote in national elections.
ROUND 3
 President:The president appoints Dan Evans to Senator
Adams’ seat when he resigns due to personal scandal.
 Congress: Congress impeaches President Obama because he
pardons a soldier. The Republican congress uses their anger
to get at him.
 Courts:The courts rule that because of large national debt,
the US can no longer borrow money.
ROUND 4
 President:To fight terrorism, any found guilty of hijacking
will have their fingernails ripped off.
 Congress: Congress decides that beards are illegal; anyone
who wore one in the last year must pay a $100 fine.
 Courts:The courts decide that religion and politics don’t
mix, therefore, no government official is required to take an
oath of office.
ROUND 5
 President:The president decides that Congress will meet in
regular session on December 15 of each year.
 Congress: Congress decides to impeach the president with
the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate presiding.
 Courts:The courts find John guilty of treason based on
testimony of only one witness.
ROUND 6
 President:Your land is in the way of a new highway, so the
president takes your land without compensation.
 Congress: Congress changes the Constitution to allow the
president to be elected to one term of six years.
 Courts:The courts rule that income tax is illegal and don’t
have to pay.