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 commanderin-chief 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 approves
by the Senate.