The U.S. Constitution begins with “We the People.” This important document was written in 1787. It protects the rights of citizens. One way the Constitution does this is by creating a system of government in which citizens vote for their leaders. The Constitution ensures that no leader can become too powerful.
The Three Branches of U.S. Government
The Constitution organizes the United States government into three branches. They are the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. There is a separation of power among the three branches. Each one has a different role. The legislative branch (Congress) makes laws. The executive branch carries out laws. And the judicial branch interprets laws through the court system.
A system of checks and balances limits the power of each branch. This helps prevent any branch from getting too powerful. For example, the president can a law that Congress passes. And the legislative branch can impeach the president. That would remove him or her from office. Those checks ensure that power is balanced among the three branches.
The U.S. Congress
The U.S. Constitution creates the two houses of Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Constitution gives Congress the power to pass laws. The Constitution also lets Congress collect taxes, make money, declare war, and raise and support armies. And Congress may
the executive and judicial branches.
The U.S. Congress meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The House of Representatives meets in the House Chamber. The Senate meets in the Senate Chamber.
The Constitution organizes the Congress according to the “Great Compromise.” That gives the Senate equal representation from each state, while representation in the House of Representatives is based on the state’s population.
The U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate has 100 members. Each state has two senators. Voters in each state elect their senators. Each senator serves six-year terms. The Senate must confirm presidential appointments. Those include the heads of the Cabinet and Supreme Court justices.
The U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives has 435 members. The number of representatives in a state depends on how many people live there. States with more people get more U.S. representatives. For example, California has the largest population. So, California has more representatives than any other state. States with smaller populations — like Alaska and Wyoming — only get one U.S. representative. Voters in each district elect their U.S. representative. Each U.S. representative serves two-year terms.
How Laws Are Passed
A law can begins as a bill in the House of Representative or the Senate. A
of members in both houses must vote to pass the bill. Then the bill goes to the president. If the president signs the bill, it becomes a law. Or the president can veto the bill. In that case, it won’t become a law unless Congress passes the bill with at least two-thirds of the votes.
Every year, the U.S. Congress must pass the federal . The president sends the bill to Congress. Both houses come up with a bill, which goes back to the president for approval. This is an example of checks and balances in action!
By Diana Richard
Updated October 18, 2024, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
