Federal Government
Nonpartisan California Veteran Hub
The federal government is built on three co-equal branches with overlapping checks on each other, and it shares power with the 50 states through a system called federalism. Use the tabs below to go deeper into how each piece actually works.
Legislative — Congress
Writes laws, controls spending and taxation, declares war, ratifies treaties (Senate), and confirms presidential appointments (Senate). House of Representatives (435 members, 2-year terms, apportioned by population) + Senate (100 members, 6-year staggered terms, two per state). Originates revenue bills in the House.
Executive — The President
Enforces laws, commands the armed forces, conducts foreign policy, nominates judges and officers, and oversees the federal bureaucracy. Includes the Vice President, the White House Office, the Executive Office of the President (OMB, NSC, USTR, CEA), and the 15 Cabinet departments.
Judicial — The Courts
Interprets laws and the Constitution. 94 Federal District Courts (trial level) → 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts) → Supreme Court of the United States (9 justices, lifetime appointments). Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.