Functional Democracy

Most people think the United States Governement as simply a "Democracy," but more specifically the United States has a Constitutional Federal Republic form of government. Lets Break that down:

• Federal: Power is divided between a national (federal) government and individual state governments. Each state has its own constitution, laws, and government but must follow the U.S. Constitution.

• Democratic: Citizens participate in the decision-making process through voting.

• Republic: The people elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf, rather than making decisions directly through majority rule.

• Constitution: The supreme law of the land that establishes the structure of government, defines powers, and protects individual rights.

The Structure of Government

The U.S. government is built on the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, as laid out in the U.S. Constitution. It has three branches:

1. Legislative Branch (Congress) — Makes Laws

Congress is a bicameral (two-house) body:

• House of Representatives (435 members): Representation is based on population. Members serve 2-year terms.

• Senate (100 members): Each state has 2 senators, regardless of population. Senators serve 6-year terms.
  

Key Powers:

• Pass laws, control federal spending (the "power of the purse"), declare war, and approve or reject treaties and presidential appointments.

2. Executive Branch (President, Vice President, Cabinet) — Enforces Laws

The president is both the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the military. The president serves a 4-year term (max 2 terms).

Key Powers:

• Enforces federal laws, leads foreign policy, negotiates treaties, and can veto or sign bills into law.

• The Cabinet (heads of federal agencies) advises the president.
  

3. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and lower federal courts) — Interprets Laws

The courts ensure laws align with the Constitution. The Supreme Court has nine justices appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Key Powers:

• Review laws (judicial review), resolve disputes involving states or federal law, and protect constitutional rights.
  

Federalism: Power Sharing

• The federal government handles national defense, foreign affairs, interstate commerce, and currency.

• State governments manage education, local law enforcement, and public health.

• Some powers are shared (e.g., taxing, building infrastructure).
  

Elections and Participation

• The U.S. is a representative democracy, meaning citizens vote for representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

• Presidential elections use the Electoral College, where each state has votes equal to its number of representatives and senators.

• Citizens also vote directly for members of Congress, state officials, and local leaders.
  

Checks and Balances

Each branch has ways to limit the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

• Congress can pass laws, but the president can veto them; Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority.

• The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional, but Congress can amend the Constitution.

• The president appoints judges, but the Senate must confirm them.

Learn more at: https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/branches-of-government