What is the hierarchy of the US government?
The Constitution divides the federal government into three branches to ensure a central government in which no individual or group gains too much control: Legislative – Makes laws (Congress) Executive – Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet) Judicial – Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)
What is the most powerful congressional power?
The Constitution specifically grants Congress its most important power — the authority to make laws. A bill, or proposed law, only becomes a law after both the House of Representatives and the Senate have approved it in the same form.
What is the biggest power the House of Representatives has over the Senate?
Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach a government official, in effect serving as prosecutor. The Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials, essentially serving as jury and judge. Since 1789 the Senate has tried 20 federal officials, including three presidents.
What structures do you see between levels of government?
Federalism divides power between multiple vertical layers or levels of government—national, state, county, parish, local, special district–allowing for multiple access points for citizens. The governments, by design at the national and state levels, check and balance one another.
What is the structure of the United States government?
It is a system of checks and balances, made up of three branches, and designed to ensure that no single entity has too much power. The Executive Branch of government is headed by the President of the United States. He also acts as the head of state in diplomatic relations and as Commander-in-Chief for all U.S. branches of the armed forces.
What are the three levels of government in the United States?
There are three levels of government (federal, state, local) and three branches at the top two levels (legislative, executive, judicial). The federal legislative branch is Congress, which has a House full of U.S. representatives and a Senate full of U.S. senators. The federal executive branch is led by the president.
Who is the head of the executive branch of government?
The Executive Branch. Peter Carroll/Getty Images. The Executive Branch of government is headed by the President of the United States. He also acts as the head of state in diplomatic relations and as Commander-in-Chief for all U.S. branches of the armed forces.
What powers does the legislative branch have in the United States?
Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government The legislative branch drafts proposed laws, confirms or rejects presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court, and has the authority to declare war.