Federal Government of the United States
The Federal Government of the United States is the national government established by the United States Constitution. It is responsible for governing the country at the national level and operates under a system of federalism, sharing power with state governments.
Overview
The federal government is based in Washington, D.C. and is composed of three distinct branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. This structure is designed to ensure a balance of power through the principle of separation of powers.
Legislative branch
The legislative branch is responsible for making federal laws. It consists of the United States Congress, a bicameral body composed of:
Congress also holds the power to levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, declare war, and oversee the executive branch.
Executive branch
The executive branch is responsible for enforcing federal laws. It is headed by the President of the United States, who serves as both head of state and head of government.
The executive branch includes:
- The Vice President of the United States
- The Cabinet of the United States
- Federal executive departments and agencies
Judicial branch
The judicial branch interprets federal laws and the Constitution. It is headed by the Supreme Court of the United States and includes lower federal courts established by Congress.
The judiciary has the authority to review the constitutionality of laws and executive actions through the process of judicial review.
Federalism
Under the U.S. system of federalism, powers are divided between the federal government and the individual states. The federal government is granted specific enumerated powers, while all other powers are reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment.
Responsibilities
The federal government is responsible for areas such as:
- National defense and foreign policy
- Interstate and international commerce
- Immigration and naturalization
- Currency and monetary policy
- Enforcement of federal law
History
The federal government was formally established in 1789 following the ratification of the United States Constitution, replacing the weaker system created under the Articles of Confederation.