Understanding The Structure And Power Of The Three Branches Of United States Government

Understanding the Structure and Powers of the Three Branches of the United States Government

Darnisha Dor

National Government: POS 1041

Professor Charles A. Goulding

April 27, 2023

The government of the United States is a complicated organization meant to protect democratic values, with authority divided among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Legislative Branch, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, enacts legislation and supervises the government budget. The Executive Branch, led by the President, oversees law enforcement and the federal government. After that, the Judicial Branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and judges whether they are constitutional.

As the head of the Executive Branch, the President holds significant power and responsibility, including the ability to veto legislation, executive issue orders, and serve as Commander-in-Chief of the military1. One notable example of the President exercising their power is the use of executive orders, such as when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order to intern Japanese Americans during World War II. It is also important to examine the Cabinet and its function in running the federal government in order to properly comprehend the structure and authority of the Executive Branch1. The heads of many government agencies, including the Departments of State, Defense, and the Treasury, make up the Cabinet. The Cabinet works to carry out the President's agenda and provides advice to the President on issues pertaining to their various departments.The Executive Branch also plays a crucial role in managing the federal government, with Cabinet members overseeing various departments and agencies1. Through its various powers and responsibilities, the Executive Branch significantly influences the country's direction, making it a critical component of the United States

Constitution is responsible for making laws and overseeing the federal budget. The Branch is made up of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate, which have different compositions and powers. The House of Representatives, for example, is responsible for initiating revenue bills and can impeach federal officials4. The Senate, on the other hand, has the power to approve presidential nominations and treaties and acts as the court for impeachment trials. A bill must first be introduced before it can be considered for passage by either the House of Representatives or the Senate. A bill goes through many steps once it is introduced, including committee examination, discussion, and voting in both houses. The President will either sign or veto the law if it is approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives. As the Constitution states, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives". One notable example of the legislative Branch exercising its power was in 1974, when Congress passed the War Powers Resolution, limiting the President's ability to deploy troops without Congressional approval. Through its unique structure and powers, the Legislative Branch plays a critical role in shaping the laws and policies of the United