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Understand the roles and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches and the system of checks and balances.

Balance of Power: Branches of US Government

Branches of US Government explores the roles and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as the system of checks and balances that ensures no single branch dominates. It examines how these branches collaborate to govern, enact laws, enforce policies, and interpret the Constitution, maintaining a balanced and accountable government in the United States.

Components of Branches of US Government

This section breaks down the core elements of the U.S. government’s structure:

  • Legislative Branch: Creates laws, led by Congress, consisting of the House and Senate.
  • Executive Branch: Enforces laws, headed by the president, including the cabinet and agencies.
  • Judicial Branch: Interprets laws, led by the Supreme Court and federal courts.
  • Checks and Balances: Mechanisms ensuring each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Examples of Branches of US Government

Legislative Branch Examples

  • The House of Representatives, with 435 members, passes federal budgets like the 2023 spending bill.
  • The Senate, with 100 members, confirms Supreme Court justices, such as Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022.
  • Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, banning discrimination, showcasing its lawmaking power.

Executive Branch Examples

  • The president can veto bills passed by Congress if they disagree with the bill.
  • The Department of Justice, under the executive branch, enforces laws like antitrust regulations.
  • The president negotiates treaties, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, subject to Senate approval.

Judicial Branch Examples

  • The Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling ended school segregation.
  • Federal courts review laws for constitutionality, like striking down parts of the Patriot Act in 2004.
  • The Supreme Court, with nine justices, can overturn lower court decisions, as in Roe v. Wade (1973).

Checks and Balances Examples

  • Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote, as with the 1986 Water Quality Act.
  • The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional, like the 2013 ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act.
  • The president appoints judges, but the Senate must confirm them, balancing executive and legislative power.