US Citizenship Civics — Government Structure and the Three Branches

The PRESIDENT is in charge of the EXECUTIVE BRANCH. The executive branch carries out and enforces federal laws. It includes the President, Vice President, the Cabinet, and federal agencies and departments. USCIS Civics Question: 'Who is in charge of the executive branch?' — Answer: the President. THE THREE BRANCHES: Legislative (Congress — makes laws); Executive (President — enforces laws); Judicial (courts — interprets laws). The President is both the head of state and head of government, as well as commander-in-chief of the military.

The two parts of Congress are the SENATE and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Together they form the bicameral (two-chamber) legislative branch. SENATE: 100 senators (2 per state), 6-year terms; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 435 voting members, based on state population, 2-year terms; USCIS Civics Question: 'What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?' — Answer: the Senate and House (of Representatives). Both chambers must pass a bill for it to become law (after the President signs it or a veto is overridden). The bicameral structure was a compromise (the Great Compromise) balancing representation between large and small states.

There are 100 U.S. SENATORS — two from each of the 50 states. USCIS Civics Question: 'How many U.S. Senators are there?' — Answer: one hundred (100). Each state has equal representation in the Senate (2 senators each) regardless of population — this was part of the Great Compromise. Senators serve 6-year terms, with about one-third up for election every two years. Compare: the House of Representatives has 435 voting members, apportioned by state population.

A U.S. Senator is elected for 6 YEARS. USCIS Civics Question: 'We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?' — Answer: six (6). Senate terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years, providing continuity. TERM LENGTHS to know: U.S. Senator — 6 years; U.S. Representative — 2 years; President — 4 years (maximum two terms per the 22nd Amendment); these term lengths are common USCIS civics questions.

The JUDICIAL BRANCH: Reviews and explains laws; resolves disputes (disagreements); decides if a law goes against (is consistent with) the Constitution. USCIS Civics Question: 'What does the judicial branch do?' — Accepted answers: reviews laws; explains laws; resolves disputes (disagreements); decides if a law goes against the Constitution. The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and the federal courts. JUDICIAL REVIEW (established in Marbury v. Madison, 1803) is the power to declare laws unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is the highest court, with 9 justices who serve for life.

The SUPREME COURT is the highest court in the United States. USCIS Civics Question: 'What is the highest court in the United States?' — Answer: the Supreme Court. It has 9 justices (1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices), appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, who serve for life (during good behavior). The Supreme Court has the final say on questions of federal law and the Constitution; its decisions are binding on all lower courts. It can declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional (judicial review).

The U.S. Constitution has 27 AMENDMENTS. The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights (ratified 1791). The most recent, the 27th Amendment (concerning Congressional pay), was ratified in 1992. USCIS Civics Question: 'How many amendments does the Constitution have?' — Answer: twenty-seven (27). The amendments allow the Constitution to be changed over time; amending requires a proposal by two-thirds of both houses of Congress (or a constitutional convention) and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. Adopted in 1787 and ratified in 1788, it establishes the structure of the federal government, defines the rights and duties of citizens, and sets the relationship between the states and the federal government. The Supremacy Clause in Article VI states that the Constitution and federal laws made under it are 'the supreme law of the land,' meaning state laws cannot conflict with federal law on matters where the federal government has authority. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution; it is part of the Constitution, not separate from it. The Declaration of Independence (1776) is a foundational historical document but is not law. Federal statutes are valid only when they do not conflict with the Constitution.