3-11 The Three Branches of Government

The national government of the United States is located in Washington, D.C.  The national government runs the country.  The national government is made up of three parts called branches.  The three branches of the national government in the U.S. are Congress, the Supreme Court, and the President.

Congress, or the legislative branch, is made up of two groups of people.  One group is the House of Representatives.  The other group is called the Senate.  Representatives and senators are elected by the people of their states.  Both the House of Representatives and the Senate make and pass laws for the United States.  Congress works in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

The Supreme Court, or the judicial branch, is another branch of the U.S. Government. The Supreme Court is made up of nine judges, often called justices.  The job of the Supreme Court is to make sure the laws of the U.S. are followed.  They also settle questions about the laws.  The Supreme Court works in the Supreme Court Building.  The President appoints, or chooses, justices for the Supreme Court and the Senate approves them.

The President, or the executive branch, is another branch of the U.S. Government.  The President makes sure the laws are carried out and that new laws are made.  The President is the commander in chief of the armed forces.  The President lives and works in the White House.  The President is elected by the people, or citizens, of the United States.

Each branch of the U.S. Government has its own job to do.  Each branch also makes sure that the other branches don't exercise too much power.  It is very important that all three branches of the U.S. Government work together for people of the United States. 

Use the information above to complete the following statements.

1.  The national government runs the .

2.  The U.S. national government is made up of three parts called .

3.  The three branches of the U.S. government are , the Supreme Court, and the President.

4.  Congress is made up of two groups called the House of Representatives and the .

5.  Congress makes and passes .

6.  The Supreme Court settles about the laws.

7.  The makes sure laws are carried out and that new laws are made.

8.  The President is the commander in chief of the armed .

9.  It is important that the three branches of the U.S. Government work .

10.  The national government of the United States is located in  , D.C.