Page 33 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

THE HIST OR Y OF W ASHINGT ON , DC  31

The Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court and other federal courts determine the
constitutionality of federal, state, and local laws. They hear
cases relating to controversies between states and those
affecting ambassadors or citizens of different states. They
also try cases on appeal. The Supreme Court consists of nine
justices appointed for life by the President.
The Supreme Court is the highest
court in the United States and is the
JUDICIAL BRANCH last stop in issues of constitutionality.

9 SUPREME COURT
Thurgood Marshall was the JUSTICES
first African-American to be a
Supreme Court Justice. He held
the position from 1967 to 1991. OF WHOM ONE IS
CHIEF SUPREME
COURT JUSTICE
Earl Warren was Supreme Court
Justice from 1953 to 1969. He wrote
the unanimous opinion in Brown v.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Board of Education (1954). (See p50).
Supreme Court Justice
from 1902 to 1932,
was a strong advocate
of free speech.
The Legislative Branch
The Congress of the United States consists of two bodies, the
House of Representatives and the Senate. Representatives to the
House are elected by the voters in each state for a two-year term.
The number of Representatives for each state is determined by the
state’s population. The Senate is composed of two Senators from
each state, elected for six-year terms. Congress regulates commerce
and is empowered to levy taxes and declare war. This branch also
makes the laws: bills discussed, written, and revised in legislative
committees must be passed first by the House and by the Senate Daniel Webster served both in the
before being approved by the President. House of Repre sentatives (1813–17)
and in the Senate (1822–41).
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES SENATE

Sam Rayburn was a
popular and distinguished
Speaker of the House.

Edward Kennedy,
leader of the United
States’ most famous
political family, served
in the Senate from 1962 The US Capitol is home to both the
until his death in 2009. House of Representatives and the Senate.

030-031_EW_Washington.indd 31 04/04/17 2:29 pm