INTERESTING!!!! Our new Federal Government

[Haystak]

Executive Branch

 

The President is the head of the executive branch, which makes laws official. The President is elected by the entire country and serves a four-year term. The President approves and carries out laws passed by the legislative branch. He appoints or removes cabinet members and officials. He negotiates treaties, and acts as head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces.

The executive branch also includes the Vice President and other officials, such as members of the cabinet. The cabinet is made up of the heads of the 14 major departments of the government. The cabinet gives advice to the President about important matters.

 

The Cabinet

· The Secretary of State

· The Secretary of the Treasury

· The Secretary of Defence

· The Attorney General (Justice Department)

· The Secretary of the Interior

· The Secretary of Agriculture

· The Secretary of Commerce

· The Secretary of Labor

· The Secretary of Health and Human Services

· The Secretary of Homeland Security

· The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

· The Secretary of Transportation

· The Secretary of Education

· The Secretary of Energy

 

Legislative Branch

The legislative branch is made up of the two houses of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives. The most important duty of the legislative branch is to make laws. Laws are written, discussed and voted on in Congress.

There are two senators from each state. Senators are elected by their states and serve six-year terms. The Vice President of the U.S. is considered the head of the Senate, but does not vote in the Senate unless there is a tie.

The number of representatives each state gets is based on its population. Representatives are elected by their states and serve two-year terms. The Speaker of the House, elected by the representatives, is considered the head of the House.

 

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch oversees the court system of Somalia. Through court cases, the judicial branch explains the meaning of the Constitution and laws passed by Congress. The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch. Unlike a criminal court, the Supreme Court rules whether something is constitutional or unconstitutional-whether or not it is permitted under the Constitution.

On the Supreme Court there are nine justices, or judges: eight associate justices and one chief justice. The judges are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate. They have no term limits. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Its decisions are final, and no other court can overrule those decisions. Decisions of the Supreme Court set precedents—new ways of interpreting the law.

 

How a Bill Becomes a Law

1. A member of Congress introduces a bill.

When a senator or representative introduces a bill, it is sent to the clerk of the Senate or House, who gives it a number and title. Next, the bill goes to the appropriate committee.

2. Committees review and vote on the bill.

Committees specialize in different areas, such as foreign relations or agriculture, and are made up of small groups of senators or representatives.

The committee may reject the bill and “table” it, meaning it is never discussed again. Or it may hold hearings to listen to facts and opinions make changes in the bill and cast votes. If most committee members vote in favour of the bill, it is sent back to the Senate and the House for debate.

3. The Senate and the House debate and vote on the bill.

Separately, the Senate and the House debate the bill, offer amendments and cast votes. If the bill is defeated in either the Senate or the House, the bill dies.

Sometimes, the House and the Senate pass the same bill, but with different amendments. In these cases, the bill goes to a conference committee made up of members of Congress. The conference committee works out differences between the two versions of the bill.

Then the bill goes before all of Congress for a vote. If a majority of both the Senate and the House votes for the bill, it goes to the President for approval.

4. The President signs the bill—or not.

If the President approves the bill and signs it, the bill becomes a law. However, if the President disapproves, he can veto the bill by refusing to sign it.

Congress can try to overrule a veto. If both the Senate and the House pass the bill by a two-thirds majority, the President's veto is overruled and the bill becomes a law.

 

18 STATES OF SOMALIA:

Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed

 

 

Powers of the Government

 

National Government:

* Print money

* Regulate interstate (between states) and international trade

* Make treaties and conduct foreign policy

* Declare war

* Provide an army and navy

* Establish post offices

* Make laws necessary and proper to carry out the these powers

 

State Government:

* Issue licenses

* Regulate intrastate (within the state) businesses

* Conduct elections

* Establish local governments

* Ratify amendments to the Constitution

* Take measures for public health and safety

* May exert powers the Constitution does not delegate to the national government or prohibit the states from using

 

In addition to their exclusive powers, both the national government and state governments share the power of being able to:

 

 

· Collect taxes

· Build roads

· Borrow money

· Establish courts

· Make and enforce laws

· Charter banks and corporations

· Spend money for the general welfare

· Take private property for public purposes, with just compensation

 

Powers Denied the Government

 

National Government:

* May not violate the Bill of Rights

* May not impose export taxes among states

* May not use money from the Treasury without the passage and approval of an appropriations bill

* May not change state boundaries

 

State Governments:

* May not enter into treaties with other countries

* May not print money

* May not tax imports or exports

* May not impair obligations of contracts

* May not suspend a person's rights without due process

 

In addition, neither the national government nor state governments may:

 

 

 

Grant titles of nobility

Deny citizens the right to vote due to race, color, clan or previous servitude (15th Amendment)

Deny citizens the right to vote because of gender

 

 

Other Government Offices and Agencies

· Office of Administration

· Established: 2003

· Director:

· The Office of Administration provides administrative support to all units in the Executive Office of the President. The services include personnel, financial management, data processing, library services, records maintenance, and general office operations.

·

 

Office of National Drug Control Policy

· Executive Office of the President

· Established: 2003

· Director:

· This office sets policies, priorities, and objectives for the nation's drug-control program, which is intended to reduce illegal drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, as well cut the rate of drug-related crime and violence.

·

 

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)

· Members: 3

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

· The CEA helps the President devise an economic policy that promotes employment, production, and purchasing power.

·

 

Council on Environmental Quality

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

· The council works with the President to formulate programs, strategies, laws, and regulations that help preserve the environment and the country's natural resources.

·

 

Office of Management and Budget

· Established: 2003

· Director:

· The OMB helps the President prepare the Federal budget and makes sure the other executive agencies comply with its provisions.

· Office of Science and Technology Policy

· Established: 2003

· Director:

·

 

The Office of Science and Technology works to ensure that Somalia becomes, and remains a world leader in science and technology.

· National Security Council (NSC)

· Members: 4

· Established: 2003

· Chair: The President

· National Security Adviser:

· Other members: Vice President; Secretary of State; Secretary of Defence

·

 

The NSC's primary function is to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policy.

·

 

Office of the Somali Trade Representative

· Established: 2003

· Trade Representative:

· The Office of the Somali Trade Representative develops and coordinates Somali international trade, commodity, and direct-investment policy. The office also directs negotiations with other countries on such matters.

 

Executive Departments

· Department of Agriculture

· Established: 2003

· Function: Supervises agricultural production to make sure prices are fair; helps farmers financially with subsidies and development programs; helps food producers sell their goods overseas; runs food assistance and nutrition programs. The SDA’s inspection and grading programs make sure food is safe to eat.

· Secretary:

· Department of Commerce

· Established:2003

· Function: Promotes international trade, economic growth, and technological advancement; works to keep Somalia competitive in international markets and to prevent unfair foreign trade practices; gathers statistics for business and government planners.

· Secretary:

·

 

Department of Defence

· Established: 2003

· Function: Oversees everything related to the nation's military security; directs the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several specialized combat commands; non-military responsibilities including flood control, development of oceanographic resources, and management of oil reserves.

· Secretary:

· Deputy Secretary:

· Secretary of Army:

· Secretary of Navy:

· Secretary of Air Force:

· Commandant of Marine Corps:

· Joint Chiefs of Staff:

 

· Department of Education

· Established: 2003

· Function: Administers more than 150 federal education programs, including student loans, migrant worker training, vocational education, and special programs for the handicapped.

· Secretary:

· Department of Energy

· Established: 2003

· Function: Responsible for the research and development of energy technology; energy conservation; the civilian and military use of nuclear energy; regulation of energy production and use; pricing and allocation of oil; sets standards to reduce the harmful effects of energy production.

· Secretary:

·

 

Department of Health and Human Services

· Established: Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was created 2003.

· Function: Administers Social Security; funds Medicare and Medicaid; offers social services for poor families, children, the elderly, migrants, refugees, and the handicapped; oversees institutes dealing with mental health and substance abuse; works to control preventable and infectious diseases; conducts research on cancer, AIDS, child health, aging, and other issues; ensures the safety of the nation's food supply and tests and approves all drugs.

· Secretary:

· Surgeon General:

·

 

Department of Homeland Security

· Established: 2003

· Function: To protect the nation against threats to the homeland.

· Secretary:

·

 

Department of Housing and Urban Development

· Established: 2003

· Function: Promotes community development; administers fair-housing laws; provides affordable housing and rent subsidies.

· Secretary:

·

 

Department of the Interior

· Established: 2003

· Function: Protects the natural environment; develops the country's natural resources; manages national parks, monuments, rivers, seashores, lakes, outdoor recreation areas, and historic sites.

· Secretary:

·

 

Department of Justice

· Established: 2003

· Function: Supervises Somali district attorneys and marshals; supervises federal prisons and other penal institutions; advises the President on petitions for paroles and pardons; represents the Somali government in legal matters and gives legal advice to the president and other members of the Cabinet; researches violations of federal laws; administers immigration laws.

· Attorney General:

· Solicitor General:

·

 

Director of SBI (Somali Bureau of Investigations):

· Department of Labor

· Established: 2003

· Function: Protects the rights of workers; helps improve working conditions; promotes good relations between labor and management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks changes in employment, prices, and other national economic statistics.

· Secretary:

·

 

Department of State

· Established: 2003

· Function: Advises the president on foreign-policy issues; works to carry out the country's foreign policy; maintains relations between foreign countries and Somalia; negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign nations; speaks for Somalia in the United Nations and other major international organizations; supervises embassies, missions, and consulates overseas.

· Secretary:

· UN Ambassador:

· Deputy UN Ambassador:

·

 

Department of Transportation

· Established: 2003

· Function: Sets the nation's transportation policy. There are nine administrations within the department whose jurisdictions include highway planning, development, and construction; aviation; urban mass transit; railroads; and the safety of waterways, ports, highways, and oil and gas pipelines. Also supervises the Coast Guard, which is responsible for search and rescue at sea and the enforcement of laws that protect oceans and waterways from oil spills and other pollution.

· Secretary:

·

 

Department of the Treasury

· Established: 2003

· Function: Reports to Congress and the president on the financial state of the government and the economy; regulates the interstate and foreign sale of alcohol and firearms; supervises the printing of stamps for the Somali Postal Service; operates the Secret Service, which protects the president, the vice president, their families, and other officials; curbs counterfeiting; and operates the Customs Service, which regulates and taxes imports. The Somali Internal Revenue Service, a branch of the Treasury, regulates tax laws and collects Federal taxes.

· Secretary:

· Treasurer of Somalia:

 

Major Independent Agencies

There are several administrative divisions of the government whose job it is to enforce and administer laws and regulations. Because provisions for these agencies were not outlined in the Constitution, they are considered independent extensions of the Somali government. Here is a list of some of the major agencies.

· Somali Intelligence Agency (SIA)

· Established: 2003

· Director of Central Intelligence:

· The SIA conducts counterintelligence activities and other functions related to foreign intelligence and national security, as directed by the President and National Security Council.

·

 

Somali Commission on Civil Rights

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

· The commission investigates complaints of discrimination and denial of equal protection of laws, evaluates Federal laws concerning discrimination and denial of equal protection, and issues public service messages that discourage discrimination.

·

 

Consumer Product Safety Commission

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

· The CPSC aims to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from consumer products by developing and enforcing safety standards, recalling defective products, and researching potentially hazardous products.

·

 

Firm for National and Community Service

· Established: 2003

· CEO:

·

 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

· Established: 2003

· Administrator:

· The EPA mission is to protect human health and the natural environment — air, water, and land — by making and enforcing environmental laws.

·

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Board (EEOB)

· Members: 5

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

· The EEOB promotes equal opportunity in employment by enforcing federal civil-rights laws and through education and technical assistance.

· Federal Election Board (FEB)

· Members: 6

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

·

 

The FEB was created to uphold the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), which regulates the financing of federal elections.

· National Reserve System (NRS), Board of Governors of

· Members: 7

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

·

 

The National Reserve System, which includes 12 regional Federal reserve banks that are supervised by a National Reserve Board, is the central bank of Somalia. Its original mission was to ensure the country's financial system remained stable. Its role has expanded and now includes regulating credit conditions and loan rates, regulating banks, and advising the government on the country's payments system.

·

 

National Trade Commission (NTC)

· Members: 5

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

· The NTC enforces several federal antitrust and consumer-protection laws. The Commission makes sure the nation's businesses are competitive, healthy, free of unfair restrictions, and are fair to consumers.

· Somali International Trade Commission

· Members: 6

· Established: 2003

· Chair:

·

 

National Labor Relations Commity(NLRC)

· Members: 5

· Established: 2003

· Chair: Vacant

· The NLRC enforces the National Labor Relations Act, which is the law that oversees relations between unions and employers in the private sector. It holds elections to determine if employees want to unionize and investigates and fixes unfair labor practices by employers and unions.

·

 

National Science Foundation (NSF)

· Established: 2003

· Director:

· The NSF promotes science and engineering through research and education programs.

·

 

National Transportation Safety Board

· Members: 5

· Established:2003

· Chair:

· The NTSB investigates every civil aviation accident in Somalia, as well as railroad, highway, and marine accidents. The board also makes safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents.

· Somali Postal Service

· Established: 2003

· Postmaster General:

· Selective Service System (SSS)

· Established: 2003

· Director:

·

 

Somali Small Business Administration (SSBA)

· Established: 2003

· Administrator:

· The SSBA provides financial, technical, and management assistance to help Somalis start, run, and grow their businesses.

 

Who Can Vote?

 

 

Anyone who is

· 1) 18 years of age

· 2) A citizen of Somalia and meets the residency requirements of his or her state

Who Can Be a Senator?

Someone who is

· 1) At least 30 years old

· 2) A citizen of Somalia for at least 9 years

· 3) A resident of the state where he or she is elected.

Who Can Be a Representative?

Someone who is

· 1) At least 25 years old

· 2) A citizen of Somalia for least 9 years

· 3) A resident of the state where he or she is elected.

Who Can Be President?

Someone who is

· 1) A natural-born citizen of Somalia

· 2) At least 35 years of age a resident of Somalia for at least 14 years.

 

Order of Presidential Succession

· The Vice President

· Speaker of the House

· President pro tempore of the Senate1

· Secretary of State

· Secretary of the Treasury

· Secretary of Defence

· Attorney General

· Secretary of the Interior

· Secretary of Agriculture

· Secretary of Commerce

· Secretary of Labor

· Secretary of Health and Human Services

· Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

· Secretary of Transportation

· Secretary of Energy

· Secretary of Education

[mojam]

Is this the new consitution or something. didn't read the whole thing yet but reading the first two paragraphs, i get the idea that the president is given too much authority.

[shyhem]

Department of Defence

· Established: 2003

· Function: Oversees everything related to the nation's military security; directs the Army, Navy, marine corps , and Air Force, as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several specialized combat commands; non-military responsibilities including flood control, development of oceanographic resources, and management of oil .

 

Are u talking about somalia or USA,i neva seen marine corps in somalia or u just like how americans do business

[3zma1L]

The Vice President of the U.S. is considered the head of the Senate, but does not vote in the Senate unless there is a tie...

Then...

The judicial branch oversees the court system of Somalia....

When you cut and paste, the result would be something like that above.

 

Anyways.. the fantasy was good without contradiction, but honestly I could't read further.

[Positive]

History repeats its self. We are in a (new)turning point in our history. A meaningful turning point as the one in 1960. Have we become wise in the affairs of statehood or are we still the tribal nomads as we always have been?

 

History will tell !

 

 

Waari mayside war ha kaa haro

[Reality Check]

***Having flash-backs of Political science 1010 class***

[Haystak]

People let me make this clear...the post is a copy of the American governments system. I simply copied and pasted. I just like their whole idea of a power sharing government, with the feature of check and balance to make sure things run smoothly.

[Haystak]

Oh and 3zma1L...that bit you quoted me on, about the vice president is true. And about the second quote...wise guy I replaced America with Somalia, So you can cut all that noise about copying and pasting.

[xiis]

Haystak,

 

I see that u included Somaliland in your federal Somalia. I wonder how you are going to get us to join your exercise in futility. By military force perhaps? If so u and what foreign army? Because I know your ragtag militias wouldn't last a day in my country. Even your mighty afweyne couldn't subdue us. So tell me what are you going to do to make us join your so called Somalia? Put up or shut up folks. I know u folks will probably delete this, but hey someone has to knock some sense into your hardheaded domes. Anyway I wish people in Somalia nabad iyo caano and hope to Allah u come to your senses and accept the will of the majority of Somaliland people. Otherwise I foresee much bloodshed ahead. If u think what's happening in xamar is bad just try and mess with Mandeeq. peace and milk to all muslims.