Simone Lawson
The United States Armed Forces are composed of six branches, each with distinct roles and areas of expertise: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The Army, the oldest and largest branch, handles land-based operations and combat, while the Navy specializes in naval missions and protecting the country by sea. The Marine Corps, a separate branch, focuses on amphibious warfare. The Air Force manages air and space operations, the Space Force safeguards US interests in space, and the Coast Guard, a unique branch that is both a military and law enforcement agency, ensures maritime security. Together, these branches work to protect and defend the nation's interests at home and abroad.
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What You'll Learn
- Legislative branch: Makes laws, includes Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)
- Executive branch: Carries out laws, includes the President, Vice President, and Cabinet
- Judicial branch: Interprets and evaluates laws, includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts
- Vice President: Supports the President, takes over if the President is unable to serve
- Cabinet: Advises the President, includes the Vice President and department heads
Legislative branch: Makes laws, includes Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)
The legislative branch of the US government is responsible for making laws. It is made up of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the Congress. The House of Representatives is sometimes referred to as "the people's house", and its members are chosen every two years by the people of the various states. The number of representatives from each state is based on the state's population, which is determined by the decennial census count. Each representative's term is two years, and the District of Columbia is represented by a delegate, as are the US territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands.
The Senate, on the other hand, has a set number of 100 senators, with each state having two senators. Senators must be at least 30 years old and have been citizens of the United States for nine years. The Vice President of the United States is also the President of the Senate but does not have a vote unless there is a tie.
Congress has several powers and responsibilities, including the power to make laws, raise and support armies, and provide for the calling forth of the militia to execute the laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions. It can also confirm or reject presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court. Additionally, Congress can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.
The legislative branch also includes various agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress, such as the Government Accountability Office, the Library of Congress, and the Congressional Budget Office, which conducts independent budget and economic analyses of federal programs and proposed legislation.
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Executive branch: Carries out laws, includes the President, Vice President, and Cabinet
The Executive Branch is one of three branches of the US government, alongside the Legislative and Judicial branches. The Executive Branch is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws created by the Legislative Branch. It includes the President, Vice President, and the Cabinet.
The President of the United States administers the Executive Branch. The President is responsible for enforcing the laws made by the Legislative Branch, which is made up of Congress. The President is elected by US citizens over the age of 18, who vote in the presidential elections in their respective states. These votes are then tallied by state and form the Electoral College system. It is important to note that the number of electoral votes a state has is equal to the number of senators and representatives that state has. Interestingly, it is possible to win the popular vote nationwide but still lose the Electoral College vote.
The Vice President supports the President and assumes the presidency if the President is unable to serve. Additionally, the Vice President presides over the US Senate and breaks ties in Senate votes. The Cabinet, which is part of the Executive Branch, is composed of members who serve as advisors to the President. These members include the vice president, heads of executive departments, and other high-ranking government officials. They are nominated by the President and must be approved by a simple majority vote in the Senate.
Much of the work in the Executive Branch is carried out by federal agencies, departments, committees, and other groups. This branch of government ensures that the laws passed by the Legislative Branch are enforced and implemented across the nation.
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Judicial branch: Interprets and evaluates laws, includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts
The Judicial Branch is one of the three branches of the US government, alongside the executive and legislative branches. The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts. Its primary role is to interpret and uphold the law, resolving cases involving federal laws and determining their constitutionality.
The US Constitution establishes the judicial branch as a separate and distinct branch of the federal government. This separation of powers is designed to ensure a balance, so no individual or group has too much power. The judicial branch operates within a system of checks and balances, where each branch can respond to the actions of the others. For example, federal laws are passed by Congress and signed by the President, but the judicial branch can decide on their constitutionality.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US, with the power to overturn unconstitutional laws. It has original jurisdiction in all cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, and those in which a state is a party. In all other cases, the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction. The Justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The judicial branch also includes federal courts that handle a range of criminal and civil matters, such as contracts, personal injury cases, and dissolution of marriage. These courts provide a peaceful way to resolve disputes that people cannot settle themselves. The specific cases that end up in federal courts depend on the nature of the dispute or crime, with some cases being handled by state courts.
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Vice President: Supports the President, takes over if the President is unable to serve
The US government is composed of three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial, each with its own specific functions and powers. The legislative branch, comprising Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives), is responsible for drafting and passing laws. The executive branch, led by the President, enforces these laws, and the judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts, interprets and evaluates the laws, ensuring they align with the Constitution.
The Vice President's primary role is to support the President. They are the President's second-in-command and are prepared to take over the Presidency if the President is unable to serve. The Vice President is also a member of the executive branch and plays a crucial role in the Senate. They preside over the Senate and cast tie-breaking votes, ensuring the smooth functioning of the legislative process.
The Vice President is elected alongside the President through a free and confidential ballot system. Interestingly, the Vice President can serve an unlimited number of four-year terms, even under different presidents. This highlights the importance of the role and the need for continuity in the leadership of the nation.
In addition to their primary duties, the Vice President is also a member of the Cabinet, which serves as an advisory body to the President. The Cabinet includes other key figures such as the heads of executive departments and other high-ranking government officials. The Vice President's role in the Cabinet further underscores their significance in shaping policies and decisions that impact the nation.
The role of Vice President is a critical one, demanding a high level of responsibility and preparedness. While their primary duty is to support the President and step in when needed, their involvement in the legislative and executive branches gives them a unique perspective and influence on the governance of the country.
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Cabinet: Advises the President, includes the Vice President and department heads
The Cabinet is part of the executive branch of the US government, which also includes the President, Vice President, the State Department, Defense Department, and 13 other executive departments. The President is the head of the executive branch and is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress. The Vice President is also part of the executive branch and is ready to assume the Presidency if the need arises.
The Cabinet is made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments, who are appointed by the President. These departments include the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Social Security Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Cabinet is responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws.
The Cabinet advises the President and supports them in governing effectively. The President's Cabinet members are not elected but are appointed by the President, who has the power to appoint the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions.
The Cabinet is an essential part of the executive branch, working with the President and Vice President to carry out the laws of the land and conduct the nation's foreign policy.
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Frequently asked questions
The Army is the dominant land power and handles land-based operations. They move into an area, secure it, and instill order and values before leaving. They also guard US installations and properties worldwide.
The Navy accomplishes its missions primarily by sea but also by air and land. They secure and protect the oceans around the world to create peace and stability, making the seas safe for travel and trade.
The Air Force manages air and space operations. They fly some of the fastest planes in the world and operate helicopters and satellites.
