The federal government of the United States is divided into three separate branches. Each part has special powers granted by the Constitution. One branch is the legislative branch, which is Congress. The executive branch includes the President, Vice President, and the President's cabinet. Another branch is the judicial branch, which is made up of federal courts and judges.
Most of the people who run the federal government meet and work in the capital city, Washington DC. The letters D.C. stand for the words District of Columbia. Washington DC is located between the states of Maryland and Virginia. Most of the work of the legislative branch is carried on in the United States Capitol Building.
Questions to think about in this chapter:
1. Identify the powers given to Congress by the Constitution?
2. Identify the legislative branch as one of the three main branches of the federal government?
3. Describe the work of Congress and its organization into the Senate and House?
4. Explain how the members of the Senate and House of Representatives are chosen? Their qualifications? and Length of their terms?
5. Describe how a bill becomes law?