Modern Studies

The US Federal Government

Structure of the US Federal Government

Executive Branch - The Presidency:

• The executive branch is headed by the President, whose role encompasses overseeing the country's administration and proposing new laws for the betterment of the USA.

Legislative Branch - Congress:

• The legislative branch is responsible for lawmaking and is embodied by Congress in Washington, D.C.
• Congress is divided into two houses:
  • House of Representatives: The lower chamber with 435 members, each elected every two years to represent a congressional district.
  • Senate: The upper chamber comprises 100 elected members, with each state contributing two Senators. Senators serve six-year terms, and one-third of the Senate faces election every two years.

Judiciary - Supreme Court:

• The judiciary is represented by the Supreme Court, serving as the highest court in the USA.
• The Supreme Court holds the authority to address constitutional rights violations, assess laws, and make legal interpretations.
• It comprises nine Supreme Court Justices, and unlike other branches, these justices are not elected.

The tripartite structure of the US federal government, with distinct roles assigned to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, forms the foundation of the nation's governance.