The 3 Branches

of GovernmentBy: Jack

The Executive Branch The President, and the Vice President are part

of the Executive Branch.

The Executive Branch enforces the law.

The Executive branch directs the military.

The Executive Branch approves/vetoes

Congress’ bills.

This Branch also writes the federal budget.

The Judicial Branch The Supreme Court is in the Judicial Branch, and

has a total of 9 Justices.

The Judicial Branch’s Justices decide if a law is unconstitutional, if so, they can strike it down.

This branch settles cases between 2 or more states.

This branch also interprets laws.

The Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch creates laws.

Congress (part of this branch) consists of the House of Representatives, and the Senate.

The Legislative Branch can impeach the President.

It has the “Power of the Purse” Which means it must approve the presidents budget.

This Branch declares war with other countries

House of Representatives You have to be 25 years old, and have lived in the

state you want to represent for 7 years to get into the House of Reps.

In the House of Representatives you server 2 year terms.

There are 435 seats in this House.

The number of House members per state varies because of population.

Senate To get in you have to be 30 years old, and

have lived in the US for 9 years.

Each state has two Senate members.

The total Senate members in the US is 100.

Each Senate member serves 6 year terms

Why 3 Branches?The reason the founding fathers made 3 separate Branches of Government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) is to make a system of checks and balances, and to even out power. They didn’t want the president to have the power of a king, so he/she as their own powers, and limits. All the branches work together to form a better government than the Articles of Confederation. That is why they made 3 Branches of Government.