Citizenship Worksheet 3 How the Government Works
The government of the United States is divided into three branches–the executive, the legislative,
and the judicial. Each of these branches has its own set of powers and duties. The branches are
not completely independent of each other, however. There is a system of checks and balances
that governs the ways in which they interact and share power. Read this worksheet to find out
how each branch works. Then answer the questions following the reading.
The Duties and Responsibilities of the
Three Branches of Government
The President–Head of the Executive
Branch As Chief Executive, the President of
the United States carries out the laws, treaties,
and declarations of war passed by the
legislative branch. As Commander in Chief,
the President heads the military forces. The
President has the power to veto, or reject,
legislation. The President sets foreign policy
and is the chief representative of the United
States to the rest of the world. The President is
the leader of the political party that controls
the executive branch. Federal judges and the
heads of federal departments, bureaus, and
agencies are appointed by the President.
The President helps to shape public opinion
about important political and social issues.
Modern media have made it easier for the
President to get popular support for executive
policies and programs. What President
Franklin Roosevelt began with “fireside chats”
over the radio has been greatly expanded
through the use of television.
The Executive Staff The President is advised
by the staff of the executive office, as well as
by government departments and agencies. The
White House staff has the closest relationship
with the President. It manages the daily
business of his office. The National Security
Council advises the Presi dent in domestic,
foreign, and military matters. The Office of
Policy Development helps the President to
Congress also has other important
responsibilities. Congress plays an important
role in dealing with other countries. The
Senate must approve all treaties with foreign
countries, and only Congress can declare war.
Inside the United States, Congress can
impeach (remove from office) the President,
Vice President, or any civil officer of the
United States who breaks certain laws. The
House of Representatives elects the President
if no candidate receives a majority of electoral
votes in an election. Congress can propose
constitutional amendments and must approve
the people the President selects for important
posts. Congress has the power to review any
major executive decision. Congressional
committees and their staffs decide whether
government programs are working and
whether new programs are needed. They
gather information for the Congress and the
public to use to make decisions.
The Judicial Branch The national court
system is headed by the Supreme Court. It is
made up of federal district courts. The judges
are chosen by the President and approved by
the Senate. The federal courts try violations of
federal law, review the decisions of other
courts, and decide whether certain government
actions violate the Constitution. Below are
some important court decisions. All of these
decisions have helped to shape modern
American government. You can find out more
about these cases in your textbook or from
other sources.
make domestic policy. The Office of
Management and Budget is the largest unit of
the executive branch. It prepares the federal
budget. The Council of Economic Advisers,
made up of three top economists, informs and
advises the President about the nation’s
economy. The executive departments of the
Federal Government are called cabinet-level
departments. The President’s cabinet is made
up of the heads of these 14 departments: State,
Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior,
Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and
Human Services, Housing and Urban
Development, Transportation, Energy,
Education, and Veterans’ Affairs. In addition
to these departments, there are many special
agencies. These include the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), and the United States Postal Service.
Departments and agencies carry out the
policies and programs of the Federal
Government. All of the departments also
advise and report to the President and
Congress on policies that are being considered.
The Legislative Branch The legislative
branch is made up of the two houses of
Congress–the Senate and the House of
Representatives. It raises money through taxes
and loans to pay for government services and
programs; helps American business by
regulating trade and by printing and coining
money; and runs the postal service. Congress
also creates federal courts; raises and pays for
military forces; and declares war when
necessary.
However, the main job of the legislative
branch is to make laws. There is a special
process by which Congress decides whether a
bill will become a law. First a bill, or proposed
law, is introduced in the House or Senate.
Then it is sent to a House or Senate committee
to be reviewed, evaluated, and revised. After
the committee presents a report on the bill, it is
* Marbury v. Madison (1803) Established the
right of judicial review, which gave the
Supreme Court the power to review a law
passed by Congress. The Court may reject the
law if it decides that the law is
unconstitutional.
* McCullough v. Maryland (1819) Increased
the authority of the National Government by
upholding the right of Congress to set up a
national bank.
* Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) Ruled that no
black person could claim United States
citizenship. The Dred Scott decision was
thrown out in 1868 when the Fourteenth
Amendment clearly defined United States
citizenship in the Constitution and gave the
right of citizenship to blacks.
* Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka,
Kansas (1954) “Separate but equal” schools
for blacks and whites were declared
unconstitutional.
* Engel v. Vitale (1962) Prayer in public
schools was declared unconstitutional.
* Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Declared that
before questioning persons accused of crimes,
police must tell them of their rights to remain
silent and to be represented by a lawyer.
* In re Gault (1966) Ruled that minors are
protected under the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth
Amendments.
* In re Winship (1970) Ruled that minors are
entitled to due process of law.
* McKeiver v. Pennsylvania (1971) Declared
that minors have the right to trial by jury.
The System of Checks And Balances
Restraint Each branch–executive, legislative,
debated in the House and in the Senate. In this
way, all representatives and senators have the
opportunity to speak for or against the bill.
They can try to get it passed into law, voted
down, or changed. If the bill is changed by one
house of Congress and the other house does
not accept the new version, the bill is turned
over to a “conference committee.” This is a
temporary committee made up of members of
both houses who try to work out a
compromise. After the bill is approved by both
houses, it goes to the President to be signed
into law or vetoed.
and judicial–has the power to check, or limit,
the action of the others.
Separation of Powers The Constitution
clearly defines the powers of each branch of
government so that one branch cannot take
over the responsibilities of another branch.
This prevents any one branch from becoming
too powerful.
Questions for Discussion and Research
1. Do some research to find out about the specific details of one of the important court
decisions listed in this worksheet. Who were the people involved? How did they view
their constitutional rights at the beginning of the trial?
2. Find out about one or two bills that are being considered or revised in Congress right
now. Would you vote to make them laws? Why or why not?
Exercises
A. True/False Read each of the following statements. Then write True or False in the space
provided.
_____ 1.The President can veto any bill passed by Congress.
_____ 2. The Office of Policy Development makes foreign policy.
_____ 3. The Council of Economic Advisers prepares the budget.
_____ 4. Only Congress can declare war.
_____ 5. The House of Representatives must approve all treaties.
_____ 6. A conference committee represents both houses of Congress.
_____ 7. Congress can impeach the President.
_____ 8. Engel v. Vitale forbade prayer in public schools.
_____ 9. Dred Scott v. Sandford gave citizenship to blacks.
_____ 10. The Fourth Amendment does not apply to minors.
B. Short Essay Choose one of the following questions. Write a one-paragraph essay that
answers the question you have chosen.
1. Recognizing Cause and Effect How does the checks and balances system prevent
dictatorship?
2. Making Comparisons Which court decision do you consider most important? Why?