Federal Government

The Constitution provides the framework for a national government consisting of three separate branches. Each branch has specific powers and restrictions. A system of checks and balances ensures that no one branch will gain too much power. The capitol city of our country is Washington, D.C., where most federal government offices are located.

Legislative Branch (website)The Legislative Branch is commonly known as Congress and includes the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 Senators (two from each state) and 435 Representatives (divided among states based on population). This is the lawmaking branch of the government. All national legislation (laws) begins as bills in either the Senate or the House. Both the Senate and the House must pass a bill before it is forwarded to the President who signs the bill into law. The President has the option of vetoing the bill, in which case it does not become law unless 2/3 of both chambers of Congress vote to override the veto.  Specific powers are given to each chamber. All revenue bills (bills that involve money) must begin in the House. It is the sole responsibility of the Senate to approve Presidential appointments and ratify treaties that the President has signed.

Executive Branch (website)The Executive Branch of the national government is led by the President. This branch includes all “departments” of the federal government (for example: Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Commerce, Attorney-General’s office).  The President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and responsible for many aspects of foreign affairs. It is also his responsibility to appoint ambassadors and federal judges, with approval of the Senate.

Judicial BranchThe highest court in the country is the United States Supreme Court which has nine justices. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction (hears the case first) when the dispute is between two states, between the U.S. and a state, between a state and a U.S. citizen of another state, and any issue involving foreign diplomats. The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction (the case must begin in a lower court) over all other matters. The Supreme Court decides whether or not laws violate the Constitution when a case is presented to the Court