What is the federal government?
In the United States, the national government is called the federal government, and it has three parts, which are called branches. One of the most important concepts in the U.S. Constitution is checks and balances – this is the idea that responsibilities should be divided up in different parts of government, so that each branch can act as a ‘check’ on the actions of the others and no single person or department has too much power.
The executive branch: enforcing laws, and running the daily operations of the federal government
President of the United States
Vice-President of the United States
Federal agency: the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Federal agency: the Department of Energy
Federal agency: the Department of Education
Federal agency: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Federal agency: the Federal Communications Commission
Federal agency: the Census Bureau
The Legislative Branch: making federal laws
What Congress does and how laws are passed
Agency spotlight: the Congressional Budget Office
All about redistricting: Issue Explainer and Independent Redistricting Commissions