The Branches of the US Government:
The Founding Fathers, the framers of the Constitution, wanted to form a government that did not allow one person to have too much authority or control. With this in mind, the framers wrote the Constitution to provide for a separation of powers, or three separate branches of government.
- The legislative branch of government is made up of the two houses of Congress (the House of Representatives & the Senate) and several government agencies, such as the Government Printing Office and Library of Congress, that provide assistance and support services for the Congress. Article I of the Constitution established this branch and gave Congress the power to make laws.
- The executive branch consists of the President and his group of high-ranking advisers, the Cabinet. Article II of the Constitution established this branch and gave the President the power to enforce the laws.
- The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) and all other federal courts. Article III of the Constitution established this branch and gave the courts the power to interpret the laws.