Three Branches of Government
By A. Student
The Legislative Branch
The legislative branch makes the laws. It is made up of Congress - the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate is made up of two Senators per state. The House members are according to the population of each state, so California has a lot more members than Vermont. A bill must pass both houses of Congress before it becomes a law. The President can veto any law passed, but Congress can override a veto with 2/3 vote.
The Judicial Branch
The judicial branch is made up of the court system. The courts' job is to interpret the law. For example, a law can be challenged as unconstitutional before the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court justices vote that a law is unconstitutional, it is no longer a law. The President appoints judges.
The Executive Branch
The President is the chief executive of the United States. Presidents can propose policies, but the Congress must agree to fund any new programs or pass any new laws proposed by the President. The President can veto any laws passed by Congress, but Congress can impeach the President.