Federal Government

The main offices of the federal government are in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States. It is on the East Coast, between Virginia and Maryland. The letters "D.C." stand for District of Columbia. The District of Columbia is a special area that is not a part of any state.

All people born in the United States are citizens. 

There are other ways to become a citizen, too.

For example, some people take a test about American history 

and government.

Not all citizens can vote for president.

For example, a citizen must be at least 18 years old to vote for president. 

• The president of the United States has many jobs. These are a few of them:

• The president suggests ideas for new laws.

• The president signs laws.

• The president meets with leaders of other countries

• The president appoints, or chooses, judges for the Supreme Court.

• The president lives and works in the White House. The White House is in Washington, D.C.

• The first president to live in the White House was John Adams. He started living there in 1800.
  
  

• The White House was the largest house in the country until after the Civil War
  

•  When a law is being written, it is called a bill.

• How does a bill become a law?Members of Congress work together to make bills. They also vote on those bills. If a bill passes, it goes to the president. The president then has two choices:
  1) The president can sign the bill. The bill will then become a law.

• 2) The president can veto, or reject, the bill.

• If the president vetoes a bill, there's still one more chance. Congress can take another vote. If two-thirds of each house votes for the bill, it becomes a law.

The House of Representatives has 435 full members. 

The Senate has only 100 members. There are 2 senators from each of the 50 states.

• Congress meets in the Capitol Building. 

• The Capitol Building is in Washington, D.C.

• Congress first met in the building in 1800

The Supreme Court has a few jobs. For example, the Supreme Court decides whether laws agree with the Constitution. The Constitution is the written plan for the government of the United States.

If a law doesn't agree with the Constitution, it is called unconstitutional. People don't have to follow it anymore.

There are 9 judges on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court judges are called justices.

The president chooses new Supreme Court justices. 

However, the Senate can approve or reject the president's choice.