The Constitution divided the Government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. That was an important decision because it gave specific powers to each branch and set up something called checks and balances. Just like the phrase sounds, the point of checks and balances was to make sure no one branch would be able to control too much power, and it created a separation of powers. Here are some examples of how the different branches work together:
- The legislative branch makes laws, but the President in the executive branch can veto those laws with a Presidential Veto.
- The legislative branch makes laws, but the judicial branch can declare those laws unconstitutional.
- The executive branch, through the Federal agencies, has responsibility for day-to-day enforcement and administration of Federal laws. These Federal departments and agencies have missions and responsibilities that vary widely, from environmental protection to protecting the Nation’s borders.
- The President in the executive branch can veto a law, but the legislative branch can override that veto with enough votes.
- The legislative branch has the power to approve Presidential nominations, control the budget, and can impeach the President and remove him or her from office.
- The executive branch can declare Executive Orders, which are like proclamations that carry the force of law, but the judicial branch can declare those acts unconstitutional.
- The judicial branch interprets laws, but the President nominates Supreme Court justices, court of appeals judges, and district court judges who make the evaluations.
- The judicial branch interprets laws, but the Senate in the legislative branch confirms the President’s nominations for judicial positions, and Congress can impeach any of those judges and remove them from office.
See our "Branches of Government" infographic to find the checks and balances you see illustrated.
Three Branches of Government
The Constitution calls for a system of separation of powers in which three branches of government can check and balance each other. Those three branches are the executive branch which includes the president, the legislative branch which includes Congress, and the judicial branch which includes the Supreme Court. The men who wrote the Constitution spread the powers of government among these three branches to keep any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Each branch performs separate functions and checks the other branch's functions in different ways.
The legislative branch is made up of the Congress which is the House of Representatives and the Senate. Its job is to make the laws. Congress also decides on who and what to tax and how to use tax money. Each house of Congress meets separately. However, they can come together for joint sessions.
The executive branch includes the president of the United States, the vice president, and the major departments of the government such as the Labor Department, Department of Defense, State Department, Treasury Department, etc. Each department has a leader, appointed by the president. Together, all the leaders, along with the president, vice president, and a few other people, make up the cabinet. The job of the executive branch is to enforce the laws.
The judicial branch branch is made up of the Supreme Court and other courts, and its job is to interpret the laws.
By triple-checking everything, government is more likely to represent the needs of more people. The public also is part of the system of checks and balances. If citizens aren't satisfied with an official, they can choose to not reelect him or her.
Sample some of the following activities to learn more about the three branches of the United States government.
Places To GoThe following are places to go [some real and some virtual] to find out the three branches of government.
U.S. Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court is the highest level of the judiciary branch of the government. From this site, you can
read through current and past Supreme Court decisions.
The United States House of Representatives
Visit Congress. The Congress of the United States is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is the legislative branch of the government, and its responsibility is to make the laws of the United States.
The United States Senate
Connect with Senators, and
learn about Senate committees, legislation, records, art, and history.
White House
Spend time at the White House. It is headquarters for the executive branch of the U.S. government.
George W. Bush
George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States. He was sworn into office on January 20, 2001, re-elected on November 2, 2004, and sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2005. Before his Presidency, he
served for 6 years as Governor of the State of Texas.
Mike Lee
Meet Mike Lee. He is also a senator for Utah. Elected in 2010 as Utah's 16th Senator, Mike Lee has spent his career defending the basic liberties of Americans and Utahns as a tireless advocate for our founding constitutional principles.
Orrin Hatch
Meet Orrin
Hatch. He was a senator for Utah. The term of office for a senator is 6 years.
Rob Bishop
Meet Rob Bishop. He is a US Congressman for Utah. He serves the 1st District.
Sandra Day O'Conner
Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed the first female member of the Supreme Court in 1981.
Speaker of the House
The official site of the current Speaker of the House, Speaker.gov provides the latest news and information from the Speaker of the House.
Three-Ring Government
Remember School House Rock from Saturday morning television? This particular installment lets you learn about the three branches of our government.
United States Legislative Branch
Find email and snail mail address for all members of Congress. Read about current legislation and about House and Senate rules. Learn about the legislative process.
Lesson Plans
- UEN - SLC Ordinances from the 1860's Get Students Involved in Local Government!
- UEN - The Three Branches of Utah's Government
- UEN - Utah's Judicial Branch
- UEN - Utah's Legislative Branch:
How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Aria, Barbara. The Supreme Court. New York: F. Watts, c1994.
- Balcavage, Dynise. The Federal Bureau of Investigation. Philadelphia : Chelsea House Publishers, c2000.
- Bonner, Mike. How a Bill Is Passed. Philadelphia,: Chelsea House Publisers, c2000.
- Heath, David. The Congress of the United States. Mankato, Minn.: Capstone High/Low Books, c1999.
- Johnson, Mary Oates. The President: America's Leader. Austin, Tex. : Raintree/Steck-Vaughn Library, c1993.
- Kronenwetter, Michael. The Congress of the United States. Springfield, NJ: Enslow Publishers, c1996.
- Nardo, Don. The U.S. Congress. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, c1994.
- Partner, Daniel. The House of Representatives. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, c2000.
- Rierden, Anne B. Reshaping the Supreme Court: New Justices, New Directions. New York: F. Watts, 1988.
- Stein, R. Conrad. The Story of the Powers of the Supreme Court. Chicago : Childrens Press, 1989.
- Stein, R. Conrad. The Powers of the Supreme Court. Chicago: Childrens Press, 1995.
- Stern, Gary M. The Congress: America's Lawmakers. Austin, Tex.: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, c1993.
- Summer, Lila E. The Judiciary: Laws We Live By. Austin, Tex.: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, c1993.