The Three Branches of Government ‘The national government that wasset up by the Constitutional Convention has three branches or parts, Each branch has certain powers, or things that it can do. Each branch tan also check, or stop, the actions of the other branches in certain ways. ‘The boxes on this page show the powers of the branches, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH—CONGRESS ‘The legislative branch has the power to © make laws, © declare war, ® approve or disapprove of people that the President appoints or gives jobs to, © remove a Supreme Court judge, © remove the President, ‘The Capito! EXECUTIVE BRANCH—THE PRESIDENT The executive branch has the power to © manage, or run, the government, © carry out the laws and make people obey them, © suggest new laws, © command the army and navy, « appoint Cabinet members, Supreme Court judges, and other officials, * approve o disapprove of laws made by Congress. The We Howe JUDICIAL BRANCH—THE SUPREME COURT ‘The judicial branch has the power to decide what a law means, © decide if a law agrees with the Constitu- tion or disagrees with it, © decide if actions of the President agree with the Constitution or disagree with it, © settle arguments between the states, © protect the rights of the people. In addition, Supreme Court judges serve for life and cannot be removed by the President. “Toe Supreme Court Bullaing 100 | ANew NationUNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU READ: Comprehension Check ‘Answer these questions about the powers of the three branches of government. 1. 2. 10, ACTIVITY: Which branch can veto or stop a law made by Congress? ——_________—— Which branch can say that Congress has made a law that is against the Constitution? Which branch can stop the appointment of a Supreme Court Judge? ————— Which branch can fire or get rid of the President? ————________!-+— .. Which branch can get rid of a Supreme Court judge? ———__________—— Which branch can say that something the President does is against the Constitution? Which branches of government have to think about laws? Which branch can choose people for important jobs? ———_____________ Which branch decides if the United States Government will go to war against another country? - When two states cannot agree, which branch decides which is right and which is wrong? ding Out About Your Government ‘The President and the members of Congress are elected, or chosen by the voters, for certain lengths of time, or terms. Then there another election. Do some research and complete these sentences. Ll ‘The Congress has two parts or “houses,” the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senators (members of the Senate) serve for a term of ___— years. Representatives (members of the House of Representatives) serve for a term of years. The President serves for a term of ____— years. "The next election for a President will be in. ‘The name of the President now is ‘The names of the two senators from your state are — ee and ‘The name of the representative for your part of your state is ANewNation 101