How government works
Three branches, separate powers
Congress makes laws
- 535 voting members: 435 in the House, 100 in the Senate
- Writes the laws, sets taxes and spending, declares war
- The Senate confirms officials and judges; both chambers share impeachment and removal
The president executes laws
- One president, elected to a four-year term, at most twice
- Signs or vetoes bills, commands the armed forces, conducts foreign policy
- Appoints judges and senior officials with Senate consent; runs the agencies
Courts interpret laws
- Nine justices and the federal judges below them, all serving during good behaviour, in practice for life
- Decides cases under federal law and the Constitution and can strike down laws
- Cannot start a case on its own and has no budget or police to enforce its rulings
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Congress has two chambers. Both must agree on the same bill text. The president signs or vetoes bills. Federal courts resolve cases under federal law and the Constitution.
Source: USAGov: branches of government (October 30, 2026) · National Archives: Constitution (October 30, 2026) · House: legislative process (October 30, 2026)
The system in four numbers
- 435House of Representatives
- 100Senate
- 9Supreme Court justices
- 50States
Source: House: the House explained (October 30, 2026) · National Archives: Constitution (October 30, 2026) · Supreme Court: current members (October 30, 2026) · USAGov: states and territories (October 30, 2026)
Federalism: more than Washington
- Federal: defense, currency, immigration, foreign affairs, trade between states
- States: running elections, schools, police, licensing, most criminal law
- Shared: taxes, roads, health programs, courts
Powers the Constitution neither grants to the federal government nor denies to the states stay with the states or the people (Tenth Amendment).
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The Constitution divides authority between the federal government and the states. States administer elections under state and federal rules. Local government has responsibilities under state law.
Source: National Archives: Constitution (October 30, 2026) · National Archives: amendments 11 to 27 (October 30, 2026) · USAGov: state and local governments (October 30, 2026)
Who does what, and what constrains them
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Institutional analysis: representatives face district voters; senators face statewide voters. Separate elections and different terms can produce disagreement even within one party. Control is not a guarantee that a bill becomes law.
Source: USAGov: branches of government (October 30, 2026) · National Archives: Constitution (October 30, 2026) · House: legislative process (October 30, 2026)
Check your understanding
Can the House alone pass a bill into law?
What next?
Related concepts
- Midterm electionsCongressional elections halfway through a president’s term. The whole House and a third of the Senate, but not the presidency.
- House versus SenateTwo chambers, two clocks. 435 members for two years against 100 senators for six, and a law needs both.
- Redistricting and gerrymanderingEvery ten years the lines are redrawn. Who draws them can decide a seat before a single vote is cast.