Text. Us government and the President

By the Constitution of 1787 (and the amendments to it) the government of the USA is composed of three branches: the executive one, the legislative one, and the judicial one.

The highest executive power in the United States is vested in the President of the United States, who is elected for a term of 4 years by electors of each state. The Presidential election is held every four year in November. The President of the USA must be a native born citizen, resident in the country for 14 years and at least 35 years old.

The President is to carry out the programmes of the Government, to recommend much of the legislation to the Congress.

`The President is also responsible for:

- carrying out and enforcing laws made by Congress;

- nominating people for federal offices;

- negotiating treaties with other nations;

- conducting wars.

In addition, the President is given the power:

- to pardon people convicted of crimes;

- to send and receive ambassadors to and from other countries.

Veto. The president shares in the legislative power through veto. Although the president can veto a bill passed by Congress, the bill can still become a law if two-thirds of both houses of Congress vote to override the veto.

Appointments. The power to appoint executive branch officials and federal judges is shared with Congress. The president has the power to nominate persons to fill those positions, but the Senate has the right to approve or disapprove of the persons nominated. To prevent corruption of Congress, members of Congress are not allowed to hold another federal office.

New words

District район, округ

Election выборы

To win выигрывать, побеждать

Winner победитель

Compromise компромисс

Tax налог

To set устанавливать

Naturalization акклиматизация

Declare объявить, заявить

Text. Congress

Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 Senators, two from each state. One third of the Senators are elected every two years for six-year terms of office. A senator must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and live in the state he or she represents.

The House of Representatives has 435 members. They are elected every two years for two-year terms. They represent the population of «congressional districts» into which each state is divided. A representative must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for 7 years, and live in the state. The number of Representatives from each state is based upon its population. For instance, California, the state with the largest population, has 45 Representatives, while Delaware has one. There is no limit to the number of terms a Senator or a Representative may serve.

Almost all elections in the United States follow the «winner-take-all» principle: the candidate who wins the largest number of votes in a Congressional district is the winner.

Congress makes all laws, and each house of Congress has the power to introduce legislation. Each can also vote against legislation passed by the other. Because legislation only becomes law if both houses agree, compromise between them is necessary. Congress decides upon taxes and how money is spent. The Congress can also declare war. And the House of Representatives can also impeach the President. This means that the House can charge the President with a crime. In addition, Congress regulates commerce among the states and with foreign countries. It also sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens.

Литература

1. Английский язык:учеб. Пособие (2 семестр)/ сост. С.В. Кулинская. – Краснодар: Краснодар. Ун-т МВД России, 2012. – 184 с.

2. Справочник по грамматике английского языка для юристов // Смирнова М.И. – Симферополь, 2016

3. Словари: англо-русский, русско-английский.

Тема 7. Правительство Великобритании. Премьер-министр Великобритании. Парламент Великобритании.

New Words

Monarchy монархия

Hereditary наследственный

Elective выборный, избирательный

Power власть, сила

To be exercised by осуществляться (чем-либо)

Independent независимый

Agreement соглашение

Separate раздельный, отдельный

Majority большинство

To be responsible for быть ответственным за (что-либо)

To direct руководить, направлять

Local authorities местные органы власти

Particular частичный, особый

Statutory boards государственные органы