How is power divided in the US government?

• Power is divided two ways:

• Federalism: Power is divided between the Federal (national) level of government and the states' governments.

• Branches of Government: At both the Federal and state levels of government, the power to make, enforce, and interpret laws is broken up into different offices.

Where does it say that power is divided?

• Countries usually have a document that explain how the government works.

• These are called constitutions.

• The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land, meaning that everything the government does, MUST agree with what the Constitution says.

The Power to Make Laws

• One power in government is to write bills that can become laws.

• The Legislative Branch has this power, as explained in Article I of the Constitution

• It consists of Congress: The House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Power to Enforce the Laws

• Another power is to enforce the laws that have been passed.

• The Executive branch has this power, as explained in Article II of the Constitution.

• It includes the president and vice president as well as the different Cabinet departments that overseas many issues.

The Power to Interpret the Laws

• The last power that is the ability to interpret laws or explain what they mean.

• The Judicial Branch has this power, as explained in Article III of the Constitution

• It is composed of the Supreme Court.

Checks and Balances

• In order to keep the three branches from trying to grab too much power or authority, each branch can "check" or stop the others.

• Powers are "balanced" or divided evenly so that no branch can easily take more power.

Important Checks and Balances

• The president can choose to veto or reject bills passed by Congress.

• The House can impeach (charge with a crime) presidents or justices and the Senate can convict them.

• The Supreme Court can use judicial review, deciding that laws passed by Congress and signed by the President are invalid as they conflict with the Constitution.