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Reading and Civics

The constitution defines the United States government. It sets up the legislative branch and the judicial branch.

We have read and learned about Congress and the Courts. There is one more major part of the American government. Do you know what it is?

The executive branch is the final part of the US government. The President is the leader of this part. The President is in charge of the executive branch.

Who is in charge of the executive branch? –> The President

The executive branch has many important departments and offices. The President has a lot of power in this part of the government.

The President is responsible for these departments, including:

• The State Department
• Homeland Security
• The Department of Justice
• The Department of Education
• The Department of Defense

The Department of Defense includes the military. The President is the Commander in Chief of the military. This means they are the #1 boss of the military.

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? –> The President

The President cannot make new federal laws. Congress makes federal laws. But, Congress must work with the President.

A new law is called a bill. If the Senate and the House agree on a bill, they send it to the President. If the President signs the bill with their name, it becomes a law.

Who signs bills to become laws? –> The President

But, sometimes the President does not agree with Congress. If the President does not sign the bill, it will not become a law.

When the Presidents says “no!” to a bill, it is called a veto. Only the President can veto a bill.

Who vetoes bills? –> The President

The writers of the Constitution did not want the United States to have a king. They did not want to have presidents serve for life.

So, we have a democratic election for President. We elect a President for 4 years.

We elect a President for how many years? –> 4

We vote for President almost at the end of the year. We vote for President in November. Election day is usually on the first Tuesday in November.

In what month do we vote for President?* –> November

• Who is in charge of the executive branch?
• Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
• Who signs bills to become laws?
• Who vetoes bills?
• We elect a President for how many years?
• In what month do we vote for President?*

N-400

Review of Vocabulary:

New Questions

1. Have you EVER been a habitual drunkard?
2. Have you EVER been a prostitute, or helped someone find a prostitute?
3. Have you EVER sold or smuggled controlled substances, illegal drugs, or narcotics?
4. Have you EVER been married to more than one person at the same time?
5. Have you EVER married someone in order to obtain an immigration benefit?

Congress has two parts: the House and the Senate. The Senate is smaller, but has more power and respect.

Each state has only two senators. Each senator works for all the people in the state.

Who does a U.S. Senator represent? –> All people of the state

Every state has two senators, and we have 50 states. So, we have 100 senators in total.

How many U.S. Senators are there? –> 100

Senators have a lot of respect. For example, we elect representatives for only 2 years. We elect the president for only 4 years. But we elect US senators for 6 years!

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? –> six

There is one more part or branch of the government: the courts, or judicial branch. Judges review laws and interpret them so we can understand them.

Also, if congress or the president do something against the law of the constitution, the courts can hold them responsible.

What does the judicial branch do? –> Reviews laws / interprets laws

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Every county in every state in the U.S. has a court. There are courts above those courts. And every state has a supreme court, too. We also have federal courts for every state, and courts above those courts.

The highest court in the U.S. is The Supreme Court.

What is the highest court in the United States? –> The Supreme Court

The judges on the supreme court are special, and are called justices. When one retires or dies, the president can choose a new judge. But, congress has to approve the new justice.

Right now, there are nine justices on the Supreme Court. John Roberts is the chief justice.

How many justices are on the Supreme Court? –> nine

N-400

1. Have you EVER been a habitual drunkard?
2. Have you EVER been a prostitute, or procured anyone for prostitution?
3. Have you EVER sold or smuggled controlled substances, illegal drugs, or narcotics?
4. Have you EVER been married to more than one person at the same time?
5. Have you EVER married someone in order to obtain an immigration benefit?

Reading + Civics: A young country

After Washington, Adams became president. After Adams, Thomas Jefferson became president.

Thomas Jefferson wanted the United States to get bigger and bigger.

The Louisiana Territory was 828,000 square miles of land. It was named after King Louis (Luis) of France.

In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France.

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? –> Louisiana

African people were brought to the United States as slaves from 1619 to 1821.

Even after 1821, slavery continued in the south United States.

There were 4 million slaves in the United States. More and more, people said: “This is wrong. All people have the rights of life and liberty.”

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Susan B. Anthony fought to end slavery.

Also, Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights. For example, in the 1700s and 1800s, women in the United States did not have the right to vote.

What did Susan B. Anthony do? –> Fought for women’s rights.

In 1920, all women citizens of the United States got the right to vote.

In 1812, there was more war with England. One man saw a terrible fight all night long. But in the morning, the US flag was still there.

He wrote a poem and a song called “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The Star Spangled Banner means “the flag with a lot of stars.”

It was very popular. It became the national anthem for the United States.

What is the name of the national anthem? –> The Star Spangled Banner

Questions

• What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
• What did Susan B. Anthony do?
• What is the name of the national anthem?

What is your name?

My name is Eric.

Do you want to legally change your name?

Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.

Reading and Civics: Leaders

Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House.

The leader of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House.

Right now, the Speaker of the House is Nancy Pelosi, from California.

What is the name of the Speaker of the House now? –> Nancy Pelosi

The highest court in the United States is the Supreme Court.

The leader of the Supreme Court is called the Chief Justice.

Right now, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is John Roberts.

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? –> John Roberts

The leader of the federal government is the president.

The leader of our state is called the governor.

Right now, the governor of Oregon is Kate Brown.

Who is the Governor of your state now? –> Kate Brown

Every state has two senators who go to Washington D.C.

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Oregon’s senators are Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

Who is one of your state’s US Senators now? –> Ron Wyden or Jeff Merkley

Each state also has representatives.

Some states have more representatives because they have more people.

Oregon has 5 representatives.

The representative for Portland is Earl Blumenauer.

The representative for Beaverton and Washington County is Suzanne Bonamici.

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Name your US Representative. –> Earl Blumenauer (Portland), Suzanne Bonamici (Beaverton and Washington County)

What are 2 ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? –> Vote and Call your Representative

More information: Finishing Registration and Getting a Free Book!

We have one final step for registration. In June, can you make an appointment to come to SOAR’s office in Portland or Hillsboro to finish the registration?

This class is free because we get money from the government. So, we have to collect information to show our students are real. 😊

If you can come to our office and help us with this information, you can get a free book with 186 pages of practice for reading, writing, and civics information!

We ask for this information:

• Your contact information
• A copy of your green card (we can make a copy at the office)
• Your signature if you agree to participate in our classes

We also have an English reading test.

You can call (503) 384-2482 to make an appointment. You can pick up the papers, and finish them in the parking lot (if you drove). You can keep physical distance from other people. Please wear a mask when you come.

Portland location 7931 NE Halsey St., Ste. 302, Portland, OR 97213 office hours Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. phone (503) 384-2482

Hillsboro location 862 SE Oak Street, Suite 3A Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 office hours Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. phone (503) 384-2482, ext. 200

SOAR: (503) 384-2482, soarlegal@emoregon.org

Next class: Tuesday, June 16, 7-8:30 pm

Reading + Civics

After World War 2, the United States was worried about the Soviet Union and Communism.

This time is called “The Cold War.” The Soviet Union broke up in 1991.

From The Civil War to the 1950s, black people in American did not have equal rights.

White people used the law, education, and fear against black people. This was a terrible time of racial discrimination.

The Civil Rights Movement was a group of protestors who tried to end racial discrimination. They protested, spoke, and got arrested.

One of the Civil Rights Movement leaders was Martin Luther King Jr. He fought for civil rights.

We remember Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in January.

The google slides are available here.

N-400 Final Questions in Part 12!

1. Do you support the Constitution and form of Government of the United States?
2. Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?
3. Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?
4. If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms on behalf of the United States?
5. If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services in the U.S. armed forces?
6. If the law requires it, are you willing to perform work of national importance under civilian direction?

The slides are here.