The three branches of government.

PositionLegislative, executive and judicial branches

* THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION envisioned a nation in which no single person or group could hold too much power over people's lives. As a result, the United States Constitution established three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Each branch is separate and has its own responsibilities.

In addition, each branch can check the power of the other branches.

Despite its flaws, this system of checks and balances is considered one of the most effective models of government in world history. Here's how each of the three branches operates--and how the three work together

Legislative

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH is made up of the United States Congress, which has two chambers: the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress writes, debates, and passes bills. Bills that are passed by both chambers of Congress and then signed by the president become law.

Senate

100 Senators

* Senators are elected to six-year terms.

* Each state has two senators.

* The Senate approves or rejects top-level nominations that the president makes, such as Supreme Court justices.

House of Representatives

435 Representatives

* Representatives are elected to two-year terms.

* The number of Representatives per state is based on each state's population. Seats in the House are redistributed after each Census, based on population shifts

* Bills relating to raising revenue for the federal budget always begin in the House.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, led by the president, handles the business of government, including the enforcement of federal laws. The president has the power to sign (and thus pass into law) or veto bills passed by Congress. The president often draws upon the advice of the vice president and Cabinet members.

President

* The president is elected to a four-year term (and can serve no more than two terms).

* He submits the national budget to Congress.

* He selects Supreme Court Justices, federal judges, and other officials.

* He is commander in chief of the military.

Vice President

* The vice president is elected...

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