The Three Branches of Government, Explained Simply

A large share of the civics questions come back to one idea: power in the United States is split into three branches so that no single branch can control the government alone.

Legislative — Congress

Congress makes federal laws. It has two parts: the Senate, with 100 senators serving six-year terms (two per state), and the House of Representatives, with 435 voting members serving two-year terms, distributed by state population.

Executive — the President

The President signs bills into law, vetoes bills, commands the military and leads the executive branch, supported by the Vice President and the Cabinet. A presidential term is four years.

Judicial — the courts

The judicial branch reviews and explains laws, resolves disputes, and decides whether a law goes against the Constitution. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.

Checks and balances

• Congress writes laws; the President can veto them; Congress can override a veto.
• The President nominates judges; the Senate confirms them.
• Courts can find a law unconstitutional.

When you meet a branch question in practice, ask yourself which branch acts and which branch checks it. That single habit answers a surprising number of questions correctly.