THE USA GOVERNMENT

The United States of America is a federal union of 50 states. The capital is Washington D.C. (District of Columbia). The District of Columbia is between the states of Virginia and Maryland, on the Potomac River, not far from the Atlantic Ocean. The basic law of the country is the Constitution adopted in 1787 in Phila­delphia (Pennsylvania). It was put into force on the 4th of March 1789. The nickname of the USA government is Uncle Sam.

Supremelegislative power lies with the Congress which is com­posed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is composed of 100 members, two from each of the 50 states, who are elected for a term of six years. One third of the Senate is elected every two years. A senator must be at least 30 years old, nine years citizen and an inhabitant of the State which elects him. The President of the Senate is the Vice Presi­dent of the United States.

The Senate represents the states and the House represents the population according to its distribution among the states.

The House of Representatives at the present time consists of 435 members from all states. The number representing each state is based on population of the state. Members of the House of Representatives (Congressmen) are elected, for two-year terms.

The executive poweris "... vested in a President of the United States of America." The USA President is both head of state and of government. He is elected for a four-year term together with the Vice-President. He takes his office on the 20^th of January of the following his election, and election are held in November.No person can be elected to the office of Presi­dent more, than twice (the 22nd Amendment, 1951). He must be a native-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old. His chief duties are to carry out the program of the government as directed in the Constitution and in laws made by Congress. His cabinet is formed by the heads of various departments, known as Secretaries, who are appointed by him and confirmed by the Senate.

The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court of the United States, - the highest court in the land. It consists of ni­ne justicesappointed for life by the President with the advice and consent of the USA Senate. One Justice is designatedthe chief justice (Председатель Верховного суда).

There are two major political parties in the USA, the Democ­ratic Party founded in 1820s and the Republican Party organized in 1851. There is no clear-cut difference between the two par­ties. Both of them represent the interests of the ruling circles.

3. Select the correct phrases to complete the following senten­ces:

1). Senators are elected for a term of… 2). Congressmen are elected for a term of 3). The President is elected for a term of… 4). The Vice President is elected for a term of… 5). One third of the Senate is elected every...

3. Give English equivalents to: Основной Закон страны; округ Колумбия; шестилетний срок;члены палаты представителей; треть сената; население штата; законодательная власть; 22-я поправка; глава государства; Верховный суд.

4. Answer the following questions:

1. How many states does the USA Include?

2. Where is the District оf Columbia situated?

3. When was the US Constitution adopted?

4. Where does the legislative power lie with?

5.How many senators is the Senate composed of?

6. Why is the House of Representatives composed of more members than the Senate?

7. Who is the President of the Senate?

8. What term is a Senator elected for?

9. Can the US President be elected for three terms?

10. What are major political parties in the USA?

Поиск по сайту: