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Overview of the National Government of the United States

• The federal government of the United States is a federal republic composed of 50 states, five major self-governing territories, several island possessions, and the federal district and national capital of Washington, D.C.

• The U.S. federal government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress, the president, and the federal courts, respectively.

• The United States government is based on the principles of federalism and republicanism, in which power is shared between the national government and state governments.

• The United States Congress, under Article I of the Constitution, is the legislative branch of the federal government. It is bicameral, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• The U.S. House of Representatives is made up of 435 voting members, each of whom represents a congressional district in a state from where they were elected. Apportionment of seats among the 50 states is determined by state populations, and it is updated after each decennial U.S. Census.

• The Senate is made up of two senators from each state, regardless of population. There are currently 100 senators, who each serve six-year terms.

• The Constitution grants numerous powers to Congress, including the powers to levy and collect taxes, regulate interstate commerce, and declare war.

• The executive branch is established in Article Two of the United States Constitution, which vests executive power in the president of the United States. The president is both the head of state and the head of government.

• The president has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• The president may be impeached by a majority in the House and removed from office by a two-thirds majority in the Senate for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors".

• The vice president is the second-highest official in rank of the federal government and serves as the designated presiding officer of the Senate.

• The U.S. government is based on the idea of "checks and balances" among the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of American government: the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary.Overview of the United States Government and its Branches

• The Constitution designates the vice president as part of the legislative branch, the executive branch, or both, generating debate about the office's exclusive branch designation.

• The Cabinet advises the president and carries out federal government programs and laws, composed of the vice president and leaders of 15 executive departments.

• The Executive Office of the President oversees various staff organizations, including the White House staff and the National Security Council.

• Independent agencies and government-owned corporations include the United States Postal Service, NASA, the CIA, the EPA, and the USAID.

• The Judiciary explains and applies the laws, with the Supreme Court as the highest court that decides cases and controversies, including matters pertaining to the federal government and disputes between states.

• The federal judiciary has a three-tiered structure, with the Supreme Court, 13 courts of appeals, 94 district courts, and two courts of special jurisdiction.

• The federal courts have exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction with state courts, and the U.S. Constitution safeguards judicial independence by providing lifetime tenure for federal judges.

• State governments handle most issues relevant to individuals within their jurisdiction, with each state having its own constitution, government, and code of laws.

• The highest elected official of each state is the governor, with state legislatures representing the voters of the state.

• American Indian tribes are considered "domestic dependent nations" that operate as sovereign governments subject to federal authority but, in some cases, outside of the jurisdiction of state governments.

• Tribal governments vary in robustness, and citizenship and voting rights are typically restricted to individuals of native descent.

• Local government within states is typically handled by counties, municipalities, and special-purpose districts, which make laws that affect their particular area.Overview of Local Government in the United States

• Local government in the United States is organized at the county, township, and municipal levels.

• The county is the primary level of government in most states, with its own elected officials and powers such as tax collection and law enforcement.

• Civil townships are subdivisions of counties in twenty states, providing additional local governance.

• Incorporated municipalities, such as cities, towns, and villages, are also common and can have varying levels of autonomy depending on the state.

• Municipalities are typically subordinate to the county or township government.

• Unincorporated areas, which lack municipal governments, are common in rural and suburban regions.

• Some cities have consolidated with their county government or become independent of counties altogether.

• Special-purpose districts, such as school districts and water management districts, may also exist within counties or municipalities.

• The structure and powers of local governments can vary widely from state to state.

• Local governments are responsible for providing a range of services, including public safety, infrastructure, and education.

• Local elections are held regularly to elect officials at the county, township, and municipal levels.

• The United States Constitution grants states broad authority to organize their own local governments.