Executive branch
Led by the President, carries out laws, heads the military, holds meetings in the White House
Legislative branch
Branch of government that makes the nation's laws. Consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate (Congress)
Judicial branch
Branch of government that decides if laws are carried out fairly. Highest court in the land is the Supreme Court
President
Chief Executive of the United States, Head of State and Commander and Chief of the US Armed Forces. The President of the United States is elected every 4 years, by the Electoral College. Signs or veto's bills passed to them by Congress.
Vice-President
Presiding officer in the Senate he is the first in line to take the place of the president and use to be the person with the second biggest number of votes until an ammendment changed that
Chief of Staff
Head of the White House staff, who has continuous, direct contact with the president.
cabinet
A group of presidential advisers not mentioned in the Constitution, although every president has had one. Today the cabinet is composed of 14 secretaries and the attorney general.
Senate
100 members; two from each state; approves presidential nominations to the federal courts, approves presidential appointees to federal positions, approves treaties,
House of Representatives
435 members, based on population of each state, each state has at least one house member, the lower legislative house of the United States Congress
Congressman
A person who serves in the lawmaking body called congress; or House of Representatives; they server two year terms and must be at least 25 year old and a citizen of the United State
Senator
A person who serves the lawmaking body called the congress; or Senate; they server six year terms and must be at least 30 years old and a citizen of the United States
Chief Justice
Head of the Judicial branch at the of the Supreme Court; serves a term for life and is appointed to the court
Supreme Court
Body organized by the Judiciary Act of 1789 and first headed by John Jay; Consists of nine justices, each appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. Appointment is for life. Supreme Court exercises the power to determine constitutionality of st
justice
a judge that serves on the Supreme Court; they serve for life
bill
a draft of a proposed law presented to Congress for discussion
law
the system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties
veto
Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
term
the length of time before an offical serves before another election
Congress
term used to describe the House of Representatives and the Senate as one whole group