Page 11 - Skys The Limit Magazine Winter Edition

Basic, But Important: The Structure and Functions of the US Federal Government
The Constitution divides the Federal Government of the United States into three arms:
The Legislative, known as the Congress who makes the laws;
• The Executive enforces the laws and consists of the President, Vice President, and Cabinet; and
• The Judiciary, formed by the Supreme Court and Other Courts, evaluates the laws.
• The purpose of this division is to put in place a central government in which little control is given to all individuals and groups.
The Constitution aim to consider the best interest of the US citizens via a system of check and balances, hence, the reason each arm
of the government can reject/modify acts of other branches, little wonder that the President can veto any law passed by the legislature. Likewise, the Congress can reject or af rm
the appointments of the President, and even impeach the President from of ce, although in exceptional circumstances. Power is also given to Supreme Court justices – who are appointed by the president and approved by the Congress – to overturn unconstitutional laws.
In this light, this article presents the structure
our Founders passed to us way back in 1787. It’s going to be short and brief, but you’d better brace yourself. Are you ready?!
The Executive Arm
The POTUS (President of the United States) heads this arm of government. The POTUS also plays the role of the Head of State in diplomatic matters and Commander-in-Chief of every wing of the armed forces. The president is tasked with the responsibility of implementing and enforcing the laws coming from the chambers of the Congress, and in this view designates the heads of the Cabinet and the federal agencies. The Vice President also forms part of the Executive arm and must be on standby to lead the presidency should the need arise for whatever reason.
The Legislative Arm
Show the world any society or nation that thrive without laws. Save yourself the stress because there is none. Even if there is, the US is not one. In our country, the powers to make laws rest on the oars of the Congress – the core representative of the legislative arm of government.
The Judicial Arm
Though not as complicated like the neuron motors, the laws of the US are complex to an extent. They’re like an intricate drapery weaving from the day of our democracy. At times, it’s speci c, sometimes vague, and quite often, confusing. It is, however, the duty of the judicial branch to nd the diamond in the mud by deciding what legislation is constitutional or what is not.
So, with the little you’ve learned in this article when next someone overseas asks you what branch of the US Federal Government does the POTUS falls into, you would save yourself some embarrassment by answering “The Executive Arm.”
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