How the US Government Works
The US government is based on the principle of separation of powers between three independent branches.
1. Three Branches of Government
Executive Branch (President)
- Enforces laws
- Commander-in-chief of military
- Signs or vetoes legislation
- Appoints federal judges and cabinet members
- 4-year term, maximum 2 terms
Legislative Branch (Congress)
- Senate: 100 senators (2 per state), 6-year terms
- House of Representatives: 435 representatives (proportional to population), 2-year terms
- Makes federal laws
- Controls federal budget
- Can override presidential veto (2/3 majority)
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
- 9 justices appointed for life
- Interprets the Constitution
- Can declare laws unconstitutional
- Final court of appeal
2. Checks and Balances
Each branch can limit the powers of the others:
- President can veto laws, but Congress can override with 2/3 vote
- Congress confirms judges, but President nominates them
- Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional
- Congress can impeach and remove President or judges
3. Federalism
Power is divided between:
- Federal government: Defense, foreign policy, interstate commerce
- State governments: Education, local police, most criminal law
- Concurrent powers: Taxation, courts, roads
4. The Constitution
- Written in 1787, oldest written constitution still in use
- Supreme law of the land
- 27 amendments (first 10 are the Bill of Rights)
- Very difficult to amend (2/3 Congress + 3/4 states)
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