Branches of the U.S. Government

Branches of the U.S. Government

• The U.S. government is divided into three branches to ensure a balance of power and prevent any single branch from becoming too dominant. This system is known as the separation of powers.

Legislative Branch

• The legislative branch, Congress, is responsible for creating laws.
• It consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• The Senate has 100 members, two from each state, serving six-year terms.
• The House of Representatives has 435 members, with the number per state based on population, serving two-year terms.
• Key powers of Congress include making laws, declaring war, and raising taxes. Congress also has the power to impeach and remove federal officials.
• Lawmaking often involves intricate processes of debate, compromise, and amendment. Bills must pass through both chambers in a similar form before being sent to the President for approval.

Executive Branch

• The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws.
• The head of the executive branch is the President.
• The President is elected every four years by the Electoral College.
• A President has a substantial amount of authority and responsibility, including commanding the Armed Forces, conducting foreign policy, and appointing various officials.
• Key agencies within the executive branch include the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, and numerous other agencies.
• The executive branch is tasked with carrying out the laws created by Congress.

Judicial Branch

• The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws.
• The highest court in the judicial branch is the Supreme Court.
• The Supreme Court is composed of nine Justices who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Justices serve for life unless they resign or are impeached.
• The Supreme Court's primary function is to determine the constitutionality of laws and resolve legal disputes.
• Other federal courts, created by Congress, handle various legal matters. Courts at the state level also contribute to the interpretation of law in their own jurisdiction.
• The independent judiciary plays a crucial role in resolving legal disputes fairly and ensuring the rule of law.
• The principle of judicial review, established by landmark Supreme Court decisions, allows the Court to review laws and actions of other branches and to invalidate them if they violate the Constitution.
• The judicial branch's independence is vital for maintaining a balance of power within the government.