Mexico and the United States
Comparing the Three BranchesJoe Johnson
Tommy ThompsonSally Sanders
The Legislative Branchby
Joe Johnson
Similarities - StructureO Bicameral Legislatures – Senate and
Chamber of Deputies O Two Senators represent each stateO Equal representation + proportional
representation
Similarities - PowersO Pass laws, impose taxes, declare warO Approve treaties and confirm
presidential appointments (Senate)O Committees study and recommend
bills
Other Similarities O Chamber of Deputies = House of
Representatives – initiates all budget matters
O Has the power to impeach and remove the President
Differences – Terms of Office
United States MexicoO Senate = 6 year
terms/House = 2 year term
O No term limits
O Senate = 6 years/Chamber of Deputies = 3 years
O May not serve consecutive terms
Differences - Representation
United States MexicoO Senate = equal
representationO House =
proportional representation
O Both Houses have a mix of equal and proportional representation
Differences – Legislation
United States MexicoO Most legislation
introduced by Congress
O Up to 90% of legislation proposed by the President
The Executive Branchby
Tommy Thompson
Similarities – Duties O Serves as both Chief of State and
Head of GovernmentO Appoints cabinet members and
federal judges
Similarities - PowersO Meets with leaders of other nationsO Makes treaties and handles foreign
policy
Similarities – Qualifications
O Must be a native born citizenO Must be at least 35 years old
Differences – Terms of Office
United States MexicoO Serves a 4 year
term of officeO May be elected to
two terms
O Serves one 6 year term
O May not be re-elected
Differences – Election and Succession
United States MexicoO Elected by the
Electoral Vote (must have majority)
O Succeeded by a Vice-President
O Elected by a Popular Vote (no majority is necessary)
O No Vice-President (Congress chooses and interim President)
Differences – Powers and Party
United States MexicoO Less influence
over Congress and state governors
O Two-party system = Democrats & Republicans
O A great deal of influence over Congress and state governors
O One dominant political party = PRI
The Judicial Branchby
Sally Sanders
Similarities – Structure
O One Supreme CourtO Several different levels of courts
Similarities – Nomination and Term of Office
O Justices nominated by the President and approved by the Senate
O Serve for life
Similarities – Judicial System
O Different levels include district courts and circuit courts
O Justices can be impeached
Differences – Number of Justices
United States MexicoO Nine justices
make up the Supreme Court
O Supreme Court of Justice includes 21 ministers or judges
Differences – Requirements
United States MexicoO No specific
requirements to be a Supreme Court Justice
O Must be citizens by birth, thirty-five to sixty-fiver years old, and hold a law degree
Differences – Judicial System
United States MexicoO Supreme CourtO Courts of AppealsO District Courts
O Supreme Court of Justice
O Collegiate Circuit Courts
O Unitary Circuit Courts
O District Courts
Sources:O CIA World Factbook: https://
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html
O Library of Congress Country Studies: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/mxtoc.html
O At least one other source: