How Power Is Shared

The U.S. government is split into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each has its own jobs and can check the others to keep power balanced.

Legislative Branch

• Congress: Makes laws. Split into the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• Members represent the people and the states.

Executive Branch

• President: Enforces laws, leads the military, makes treaties.
• Includes the Vice President and Cabinet.

Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court and other federal courts: Interpret laws and settle disputes.
• Judges are appointed for life to avoid political pressure.

Checks and Balances in Action

• The President can veto bills, but Congress can override the veto.
• The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

Why It Matters

This system prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful, and it encourages cooperation and compromise.