Our Government

A System of Checks and Balances

Our Government
!

The Executive Branch includes

the President, Vice President,
Departments, and Agencies.

The Legislative Branch includes

the Senate and the House of
Representatives.

The Judicial Branch includes the

Supreme Court.

The Executive Branch

!

The President is the leader of the

country and the Commander-InChief of the military.

The Vice President is the

President of the Senate and
becomes the President if the
President can no longer do his
job.

The Departments advise the

President on issues and help
carry out policies.

The Independent Agencies carry

out policies or provide special
services to the people.

The Legislative Branch

!

The U.S. Congress is made up

of two parts; the House of
Representatives and the Senate.

The primary duty of the

Congress is to write, debate,
and pass bills, which are then
passed on to the President for
approval.

Other Powers of Congress

include making laws about trade,
taxes, money and war.

The Judicial Branch

!

The Judicial Branch includes the

federal court system with the
Supreme Court as the highest
court.

Once the Supreme Court makes

a decision, it can only be
changed by another Supreme
Court decision or by amending
the Constitution.

The Supreme Court is made up

of nine Justices appointed by
the President and approved by
the Senate.