Government Structure Lesson

The legislative branch makes laws. It is made up of Congress, which is then divided into Senate and the House of Representatives.

LEGISLATIVE

The executive branch enforces, or carries out, laws. The head is the President, and the branch also includes the Vice President and different Cabinet departments and agencies.

EXECUTIVE

The judicial branch interprets laws, which means they decide if they are constitutional and how they are implemented. This branch includes the US Supreme Court and other federal courts.

JUDICIAL

• must be at least 25 years old

• must have been a US citizen for at least 7 years

• reside in the state

• 2 year term

• Special Duties: brings impeachment charges, choose President in the case of Electoral College tie, start all appropriations bills

House of Representatives

• must be at least 30 years old

• must have been a US citizen for at least 9 years

• reside in the state

• 6 year term

• Special Duties: Serves as jury for impeachment trial, approves treaties with other countries, approve or reject high-level presidential appointments

Senate

Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: 2 terms
Order of Succession: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, other Cabinet secretaries

Term Information

• must be at least 35 years old

• natural born US citizen

• live in the US for at least 14 years

• elected by Electoral College

Requirements

Basic Information

• Nominated by: President

• Confirmed by: Senate

• Requirements to be Eligible to Serve: None

• Number of Justices: 9 (1 Chief Justice + 8 Associate Justices, can be changed by Congress)

• Term Length: Life, or until retirement