There are three different branches of the American government, each designed to perform different tasks. The first is the Executive Branch, which includes the president, the vice-president, and the cabinet, who are heads of major government departments. Second is the Judicial Branch, who interprets laws and the rights given by the American Constitution. The final branch is the Legislative Branch, a bicameral legislature with two houses of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives. This branch’s primary role is to write, discuss, and vote on American laws.
In the Executive Branch, the president has the power to issue orders called ‘executive orders’, which can be applied to all federal agencies. As the commander in chief of the armed forces, he also has the ability to call units of the National guard into service. He also has power to manage other national affairs and international relations, as well as the workings of the federal government. One of the ways that he does this is by choosing the members of the United States Cabinet, which is composed of the head officers of the federal executive departments: the Departments of State, War, and Treasury. They advise and assist the president in carrying out his duties, though he may dismiss or reappoint them at will. Another significant power that the president has is the ability to grant a full or conditional pardon to a convicted criminal, except in the case of impeachment.
The most significant component of the Judicial Branch is the United States Supreme Court, which is the highest court power in the country. However, it also includes many appeal and district courts. The members of the Supreme Court are chosen by the acting president, and usually stay in their position until death. Decisions of the 9 Justices on the Supreme Court can only be reversed by a future Supreme Court decision or by amending part of the American Constitution. The United States Court of Appeals are intermediate appellate courts that have the power to reverse decisions made by district courts.
The Legislative Branch of the American government, otherwise known as Congress, is a bicameral system comprising of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators, meaning that there is equal representation. However, in the House of Representatives, the number of representatives is proportional to the population of the state. Congress, as a whole, has authority over financial and budgetary matters of the country, regarding taxes, duties, and debt. They also are the only branch in the government of the United States that has the power to declare war, maintain and raise the armed forces, and impeach the president or other federal officers if deemed necessary. However, the main responsibility of Congress is to create laws. When a member of Congress would like to establish a new law, they create a bill, which is then reviewed by other members of that house. If it is approved by the house, then it will be sent to the next house, where any revisions are made. A bill may become a law when both houses have passed identical versions of the same bill.
In the Executive Branch, the president has the power to issue orders called ‘executive orders’, which can be applied to all federal agencies. As the commander in chief of the armed forces, he also has the ability to call units of the National guard into service. He also has power to manage other national affairs and international relations, as well as the workings of the federal government. One of the ways that he does this is by choosing the members of the United States Cabinet, which is composed of the head officers of the federal executive departments: the Departments of State, War, and Treasury. They advise and assist the president in carrying out his duties, though he may dismiss or reappoint them at will. Another significant power that the president has is the ability to grant a full or conditional pardon to a convicted criminal, except in the case of impeachment.
The most significant component of the Judicial Branch is the United States Supreme Court, which is the highest court power in the country. However, it also includes many appeal and district courts. The members of the Supreme Court are chosen by the acting president, and usually stay in their position until death. Decisions of the 9 Justices on the Supreme Court can only be reversed by a future Supreme Court decision or by amending part of the American Constitution. The United States Court of Appeals are intermediate appellate courts that have the power to reverse decisions made by district courts.
The Legislative Branch of the American government, otherwise known as Congress, is a bicameral system comprising of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators, meaning that there is equal representation. However, in the House of Representatives, the number of representatives is proportional to the population of the state. Congress, as a whole, has authority over financial and budgetary matters of the country, regarding taxes, duties, and debt. They also are the only branch in the government of the United States that has the power to declare war, maintain and raise the armed forces, and impeach the president or other federal officers if deemed necessary. However, the main responsibility of Congress is to create laws. When a member of Congress would like to establish a new law, they create a bill, which is then reviewed by other members of that house. If it is approved by the house, then it will be sent to the next house, where any revisions are made. A bill may become a law when both houses have passed identical versions of the same bill.