U.S. Federal Government

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The Judicial Branch	The supreme court of justice	decides on the constitutionality of legislation.
		decides on the compatibility of state legislation with federal legislation.
	The federal courts	decides cases involving states or federal officials or administrations.
The Legislative Branch	Congress	has the power to make laws and to declare war.
		is composed of:
	The Senate	2 senators by state elected for six years by third every two years.
		They confirm all the appointments of officials made by the President.
	The House of Representatives	435 representatives elected for two years.
		A representative for about 500,000 persons
		Each state gets at least one representative.
		They elect a speaker who presides the House.
		They have the sole power to originate tax bills.
The Executive Branch	The President,	signs laws and takes care that they "be faithfully executed".
		can veto a law if he disapproves it.
		is a "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States".
		gives a State-of-the-Union Address to Congress every year.
	The Vice-president,	replaces the President if he is disabled (dead, impeached, ...)
		He also serves as president of the Senate. He votes only when a tie occurs.
	The Cabinet	is composed of departments (of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, ...) administered by secretaries of departments who are in charge of the enforcement and administration of federal laws. Foreign policy is conducted by the secretary of state.