The Constitution defines distinct powers for the Congress of the United States, the president, and the federal courts. This division of authority is known as a system of checks and balances, and it ensures that none of the branches of government can dominate the others. The Constitution does not include the term separation of powers. although Congress makes laws, the president can veto them. Even if the president vetoes a law, Congress may check the president by overriding his veto with a two-thirds vote.
The Supreme Court' can overturn laws passed by Congress and signed by the president. The selection of federal and Supreme Court judges is made by the other two branches. The president appoints judges, but the Senate reviews his candidates and has the power to reject his choices.
28. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members, each of whom is elected by a congressional district and serves a two-year term. Seats in the House are divided between the states on the basis of population, with each state entitled to at least one seat. the power to introduce legislation on any subject dealing with the powers of Congress, gathering revenue etc
- The Senate
Each state is represented by two members- 100 members. Each Senator, who is elected by the whole state rather than by a district, serves a six-year term. Senatorial terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the terms expire every two years.
the power to introduce legislation on any subject dealing with the powers of Congress. Only the Senate can approve treaties negotiated and submitted by the president.
- US Congressional committees
One of the most important nonlegislative functions of the Congress is the power to investigate. This power is usually delegated to committees.Investigations are conducted to gather information on the need for future legislation, to test the effectiveness of laws already passed, to inquire into the qualifications and performance of members and officials of the other branches. Congressional investigations thus represent one important tool available to lawmakers to inform the citizenry and arouse public interest in national issues. Congressional oversight prevents waste and fraud, protects civil liberties and individual rights, ensures executive compliance with the law, gathers information for making laws and educating the public, and evaluates executive performance.
- Informal practices of Congress. Lobbyists.
the selection and behavior of U.S. legislators has little to do with central party discipline. Congress is thus a collegial and not a hierarchical body. Power does not flow from the top down but in practically every direction. There are informal or unwritten norms of behavior that often determine the assignments and influence of a particular member. The traditional independence of members of Congress has both positive and negative aspects. One benefit is that a system that allows legislators to vote their consciences or their constituents wishes is inherently more democratic. The problem of independence is that there is less accountability for voters than there would be if Congressmen took responsibility for their partys actions. Lobbying has been called the fourth branch of the American government. Virtually every group - from corporations to foreign governments to states to grass-roots organizations - employs lobbyists. Many lobbyists are former Congressmen and Senators, or relatives of sitting Congressmen.
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Executive branch.
Cabinet, whose 15 members are appointed and confirmed. The president is the executive and Commander-in-Chief, responsible for controlling the U.S. armed forces and nuclear arsenal. The president may veto legislation passed by Congress; he or she may be impeached by a majority in the House and removed from office by a two-thirds majority in the Senate. The president may not dissolve Congress or call special elections, but does have the power to pardon convicted criminals, give executive orders, and appoint Supreme Court justices and federal judges.
The president must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years of age, and have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.
Amendment 22
limits the president to either two four-year terms
The Constitution provided that, if a President were to die, resign, or be removed from office, the "powers and duties" of the office would devolve upon the Vice President.
The executive departments. The heads of the 15 departments, chosen by the president and approved by the Senate, form a council of advisers generally known as the president's "Cabinet." The Cabinet is a part of the executive branch of the U.S. federal government consisting of the heads of federal executive departments.
Cabinet members can be fired by the President or impeached and removed from office by Congress. Usually, all Cabinet members resign shortly after the inauguration of a new President.
The Cabinet as a governmental institution is not provided for in the Constitution o. Aside from its role as a consultative and advisory body, the Cabinet has no function.
Presidential elections
are held every four years. The President and the Vice President are the only two nationally elected officials..Presidents are elected indirectly, through the Electoral College.
In most U.S. states, the presidential candidate who wins a majority of the popular votes in a state also earns all the votes of the states electoral college members. Each state has the same number of electoral college members as the total of its senators and representatives.
Electoral College, the institution through which Americans elect the president and vice president of the United States.
Each state is allotted a number of electors equal to the number of its representatives and senators in the Congress.
Congress determines the number of presidential electors to which each state is entitled.
The electors have only one responsibility: to select the president and vice president
The electors vote for the presidential candidate who received the greatest number of votes in their state. The electoral college simply ratifies the results of the popular vote.
The candidate who wins the presidency is the one who wins a majority of the electoral college votes, rather than a majority of the popular vote.
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The modern Presidential election process begins with the primary elections, during which the major parties each select a nominee to unite behind; the nominee in turn selects a running mate to join him on the ticket as the Vice Presidential candidate. The two major candidates then face off in the general election, usually participating in nationally televised debates before Election Day and campaigning across the country to explain their views and plans to the voters. Much of the modern electoral process is concerned with winning swing states, through frequent visits and mass media advertising drives.
