Branches of Government Overview

Branches of Government

• The three branches of government are Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
• The head of the Executive Branch is the President.
• The Legislative Branch is made up of Congress.
• Congress makes the laws.
• The Judicial Branch interprets the laws.
• There are 100 senators.
• The two parts of Congress are the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• The main job of the Judicial Branch is to interpret laws and apply them justly.
• The Legislative Branch is responsible for making laws, declaring war, and passing budgets.
• Each state has two senators.
• Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.

Additional Information

• The number of representatives a state has in the House depends on the state's population.
• If a government official commits a crime, the process followed depends on the specific crime and the laws involved. Judicial review is the process by which courts determine whether laws or actions are constitutional.
• The President serves a four-year term.
• There are nine justices on the Supreme Court.
• A system of checks and balances ensures no one branch has too much power.
• Senators serve six-year terms.
• Requirements for running for President, Senate or House of Representatives vary, but generally include U.S. citizenship and minimum age requirements.
• The articles of the Constitution define the responsibilities of each branch.
• The length of a federal judge's term varies depending on the court.