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 commander-in-chief of
the military.

The Vice President is the President of

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

The Departments advise the

President on issues and help carry
out policies.

The Independent Agencies carry out

policy 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.