The Three Branches of Power

The Framers knew that constitutional governments are often divided into different parts or branches. Each branch is given certain power of the government among three branches.

Legislative branch. The Framers gave this branch the power to make laws. The US national legislature is called Congress. Congress has two parts or houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Executive branch. The Framers gave this branch the power to enforce, or carry out the laws made by Congress. The President is the head of this branch.

Judicial branch. The Framers gave this branch the power to settle disagreements about what the laws mean. The Supreme Court is the highest power in this branch. Senate: Each state can send two representatives to the Senate. The US Senate now has 100 members.

House of representatives: The number of representatives each state can send to the House of Representatives depends on its population. For example, in 1988, California, which has the largest population, had 45 representatives. The US House of Representatives has 435 members. Congress has the power to tax the people, to create a court system, and to declare a war. The Constitution gives Congress the power to pass all laws that are necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Congress is responsible for providing the general welfare of the US.

The power of Congress is limited. Congress cannot make any law it wishes and have the law enforced.
The Supreme Court has the power to declare a law made by Congress unconstitutional.
The Framers wanted to give the President enough power to carry out and enforce the laws made by Congress. They did not want to give the President too much power. If they did, the President might be able to gain unlimited power and become a dictator.
The duties and the powers of the President are listed in Article II of the Constitution.
The President is the head of the executive branch.
The President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The President is responsible for dealing with other countries.
The President is the single most powerful person in the US government.
The President has the power to appoint people to important jobs in the executive and judicial branches. However, the Senate can limit or check this power by not approving the persons suggested by the President.
The President has the power to make a treaty with another nation. However, the treaty must be approved by the Senate.
The President can conduct a war. However, only Congress can declare a war. Although the President commands the armed forces, Congress can check this power by controlling the money needed to conduct a war.
By a 2/3 vote, Congress may approve a bill over the President's veto.
The Constitution gives Congress the power to impeach the President. If found guilty, the President can be removed from office.
The home of the American President is the White House. Here he meets with, the leaders of foreign countries.
The President, as the Head of the State, is elected for the period of 4 years. He has representative functions: leading the country, determining foreign policy and taking part in the law-making process. He is one of the most powerful men in the world.
The job of Congress is to make the laws. The President and Congress work together and check on each other.
The Framers created the judicial branch to handle disagreements over the law. Besides, the courts would settle disagreements between individuals and the government. Different levels of courts would settle different kinds of cases. The Supreme Court was created as the highest court in the judicial branch. The head of the Supreme Court was called the Chief Justice.
Judges were not elected. They were appointed to office.
Judge served in the judicial branch until he retired or died. He could be impeached and removed from the position, just like the President.