The Three Branches of Government

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The United States government has three branches (parts),the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.

The legislative branch, also called Congress, makes the laws of the United States and has the power to declare war. It has two parts, the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 senators, two from each state, and there are 435 representatives. The number of representatives from the state depends on how many people live there. States with very few people, such as Alaska and Wyoming, have only one representative while states with large populations have more representatives. (California, for example, has 53.) Senators serve a six-year term. Representatives serve a two year term.

The executive branch enforces the laws. The President, Vice president, and the Cabinet are all part of this branch of government. The president is the chief executive of the United States and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. When the president signs the bills that Congress writes, they become law. The members of the Cabinet give the president advice. The President appoints them.

Voters elect the president and vice president together for a four-year term. They must be 35 years old or more and natural born citizens; they cannot come from another country. If the president dies, the vice president becomes president. The president can serve two four-year terms.

The Supreme Court and other federal courts belong to the judicial branch of the government. They interpret (explain) the law. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, is the last court to hear cases. Its decisions are final. The nine judges on the court are called Supreme Court justices. They serve for life. When a Supreme Court justice retires or dies, the President appoints a new justice. The Senate must approve this person.