The US Government was structured in
order to preserve a balance of power between the three respective branches
of government. The three branches are known as the legislative, judicial
and executive. Our forefathers, concerned that one branch of government
would become too powerful created a system of separated powers and checks
and balances to help stabilize the federal government.
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch of includes
Congress and government agencies. Congress makes laws and has two parts:
the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress is charged with
the responsibility of creating making laws by writing what is known as a
"bill." If a bill is passed, it becomes a law if the President (Executive
Branch) approves them.
Other powers delegated to Congress
include, the power to declare war and control inter-state trade.
Senate
Two Senators are elected from every
state in order to achieve equal representation among the states in the
Senate. Each Senator is elected for a six-year term and no term limits
are placed on a Senator's seat.
The Senate is responsible for
approving treaties, confirming presidential nominations, and conducting
trials.
House of Representatives
There are four hundred and thirty
five representatives in the House. The numbers vary greatly from state to
state since representation corresponds to population. Each representative
represents what is known as a congressional district. The amount of
representatives a state has is based on the amount of congressional
districts within that state. Bigger states have more representatives and
smaller ones have less. Each representative serves for a two-year term.
Executive Branch
The executive branch includes the
President, Vice President, Departments, and Independent Agencies. This
branch is responsible for the enforcement of laws enacted by Congress.
President
The President is the head of the
executive branch. The powers of the President are designated by Article
II of the Constitution. Some of the President's powers include:
Commander-in-Chief, making treaties (with the approval of Congress),
declaring war (with the approval of Congress), signing bills into law,
suggesting bills, appointing judges, heads of departments, and other
officials (with the approval of Congress), and pardoning. The President
serves a four-year term, with a two-term maximum.
The President plays a crucial role
in the law making process. He has the power to sign a bill into law.
Once both the House of Representatives and Senate pass a bill, then that
bill is presented to the President. If the President agrees with the
bill, it is signed into law. If the President does not agree with it,
then it can be vetoed.
Judicial Branch
Article III of the Constitution
established the judicial branch of government and the creation of the
Supreme Court. The duties of the Supreme Court include the power of
judicial review. This means they interpret laws, decide the
constitutionality of laws, and determine how laws should be applied.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest
court in the land. Its main function is to decide the constitutionality
of laws. This is part of our system of checks and balances. In order to
make sure that Congress and the President are acting with in the terms of
the Constitution, the court has the power to review the law. If the law is
unconstitutional, it can be stricken.
The Supreme Court also has the power
to overturn laws and decisions made by lower courts. If a lower court has
decided a case that is not is not considered principled, constitutional,
or justifiable for a variety of reasons that law may be overturned.
There are nine members of this court
and each is appointed for life. The Justices hold their positions until
they resign, retire or are impeached.
Link to the Declaration of
Independence, the United States Constitution, and the National Archives
and Records Administration to learn more about the United States
Government.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/browse-gm-02.html