THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

The government of the United States represents, serves, and protects the American people at home and in foreign countries. It consists of the three branches - executive, legislative, and judicial.

The executive branch of the United States government consists of (1) the Executive Office of the President, (2) the executive departments, and (3) the independent agencies. The President of the United States is the nation's chief executive and chief of state. The President lives in the White House in Washington , D.C. , and has offices there. As chief executive, the President has the responsibilities of enforcing federal laws and appointing and removing high federal officials. The President commands the armed forces, conducts foreign affairs, and recommends laws to Congress. Elected by the people to hold office for a four - year term, the President cannot be elected to more than two terms. The Executive Office of the President includes the White House Office, the Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Council, etc. Executive departments conduct the administration of the national government. These 14 departments are: State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and others. Department heads are appointed by the President, with the approval of the Senate. They form the Cabinet. Thirteen are called secretaries. The attorney general heads the Department of Justice. Independent agencies operate in many fields, including aeronautics and space, nuclear energy, communications, etc.

The legislative branch of the United States government includes Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 members. Each state, regardless of size or population, has two senators, who serve six-year terms. The Vice President of the United States presides over the Senate. The Senate alone can sit as a court of impeachment. It alone has the power to approve the President's nominations for major federal offices. Any treaty is subject to the Senate's approval. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members. A state's representation is based on population. Only the House can bring charges of impeachment against high federal officials. It alone can initiate tax bills.

The judicial branch is represented by the Supreme Court of the United States and other federal courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It has a chief justice and light associate justices. The President appoints all justices with the approval of the Senate.

The United States has two major political parties, the Democratic and the Republican. Both parties receive support from individuals and groups in all parts of the country. Members of two parties hold almost all the offices in the national, state and local governments.

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