How the US Government Works

Structure and functions of the three branches of US government

25 cards · civics

Cards (25)

Front	Back
Separation of powers	Legislative, Executive, Judicial The Constitution divides national power among three branches to prevent concentration.
Legislative branch	Makes federal laws Article I creates Congress and vests it with lawmaking authority.
House of Representatives	435 members, 2-year terms, by population Seats are reapportioned after each census; elections are every even year.
Senate	100 members, 6-year terms, two per state Senate terms are staggered so about one-third face election every two years.
Enumerated powers of Congress	Tax, spend, regulate commerce, declare war Article I, Section 8 lists Congress’s specific authorities.
Bill introduction	Introduced and sent to committee A bill is filed by a member and formally referred to the relevant committee.
Committee consideration	Committees amend and report bills Hearings, markups, and reports shape a bill before floor action.
Floor passage	Chambers debate and vote to pass Each chamber sets debate rules and voting procedures for measures.
Conference committee	Resolves House-Senate bill differences Conferees negotiate one compromise version sent back for final votes.
Presidential action on bills	Sign; veto; or no action: law after 10 days if in session If unsigned and Congress adjourns, the bill may die by pocket veto.
Veto override	Two-thirds of both chambers override If both chambers reach two-thirds, the bill becomes law despite the veto.
Executive branch	Enforces federal laws Article II vests executive power in the president and executive departments.
President’s powers	Commander in chief; veto; treaties; appointments Many powers require Senate or congressional participation or limits.
Cabinet	Heads of departments advising the president Cabinet members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Executive departments	15 executive departments Departments include State, Defense, Treasury, Justice, and others.
Federal agencies	Carry out laws by issuing and enforcing regulations Agencies implement statutes through rules, guidance, and enforcement.
Rulemaking	Notice-and-comment under the Administrative Procedure Act Proposed rules are published for public comment before finalization.
Judicial branch	Interprets the law and Constitution Article III establishes the Supreme Court and authorizes lower courts.
Federal court structure	District courts, courts of appeals, Supreme Court Most cases start in district courts; appeals go to circuit courts.
Judicial review	Courts can strike laws that violate the Constitution Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803) and exercised by all federal courts.
Senate confirmation	Senate confirms major presidential appointments Judges, ambassadors, and Cabinet secretaries require Senate approval.
Impeachment	House impeaches; Senate tries and may convict Conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
Electoral College	538 electors; 270 to win; states get House seats + 2 Most states are winner-take-all; the popular vote may not decide the winner.
Primaries and caucuses	States choose party nominees before the general election Parties use state-run primaries or party-run caucuses to allocate delegates.
Pocket veto	If Congress adjourns, unsigned bill dies after 10 days Because Congress is not in session, the bill cannot become law without a signature.