Part 3. Three Branches of Government

Within the national government, power is divided among three branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.

The legislative branch is represented by Congress, which consists of two parts – the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress’s main function is to make laws. There are 100 senators (two from each state) and 435 representatives (the number from each state depends on the size of the state’s population).

The executive branch is headed by the President, who is also head of the country. The executive branch administers the laws (sees to it that the laws are carried out, actually rules the country). In addition to the President and the Vice-President, the executive branch consists of departments and agencies. The President appoints the department heads, or advisers, who together make up the President’s Cabinet.

The judicial branch interprets the laws and makes sure that new laws are in keeping with the Constitution. The judicial branch is represented by several levels of federal courts. The Supreme Court is the most important body. It has nine members, who are appointed for life.

There is a system of checks established by the Constitution, which is meant to prevent any of the three branches from having too much power. Each branch has certain controls over the other branches. Foe example, Congress makes the laws, but the President can veto a law, and the Supreme Court can decide that the law is unconstitutional.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are the three branches of the US national government?

2. What body is the legislative branch of the government represented by?

3. Which two parts does Congress consist of?

4. What is the main function of Congress?

5. Who is the head of the executive branch?

6. What does the executive branch do?

7. What does the executive branch consist of?

8. What is the President’s Cabinet?

9. What is the judicial branch of the government concerned with?

10. Which is the most important body of the judicial branch? How many members does it have?

11. What system is provided to prevent any of three branches of the government from having too much power?