The three branches of government

The U.S. Constitution divides the federal government into three parts, called branches. Each branch has its own job, and each can answer what the others do, so no one person or group has too much power.

Legislative branch: makes the laws

Congress has two parts. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members. The Senate has two senators from each state, so 100 in all. They write bills and vote on them. See how in How a bill becomes a law, and watch real children’s bills in the chamber.

Executive branch: carries out the laws

The President leads this branch, with the Vice President and the Cabinet. It also includes executive departments and agencies. The President can sign or veto bills.

Judicial branch: decides what laws mean

The Supreme Court and other federal courts explain what laws mean, apply them to real cases, and decide if a law goes against the Constitution. The Supreme Court has nine justices: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

Checks and balances

• Congress passes a bill. The President can veto it.
• Congress can override a veto with two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate.
• The Supreme Court can overturn a law that goes against the Constitution.
• The President nominates federal judges, and the Senate confirms or rejects them.

States have their own governments

Each state has a legislature, a governor, and courts. Many laws about a child’s school day, like school phone rules, come from the state. Some laws reach into family courts, like the safer door.

For younger children (ages 7 to 9)

Think of a school. Some people write the rules. The principal makes sure everyone follows them. When two people disagree about what a rule means, someone fair listens and decides. A country works the same way, with three separate teams.

Pair this page with a real bill, like the other school door, to build a lesson.