Our Government

System of Checks and Balances

Our Government
The Executive Branch
includes the President,
the Vice President and
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 the
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 his job.
The Departments advise the President on issues
and help carry out policy or provide special
services to the people.

The Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch includes the federal court
system with the Supreme Court as the highest
court.
One 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.

The Legislative Branch

The U.S. Congress is made up of two parts, the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
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.