United States · Government
Government and administration in United States
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Executive — President and the Cabinet
- Four-year term, maximum two terms; fifteen executive departments.
- Legislative — Congress: Senate and House of Representatives
- 100 senators, 435 representatives; bicameral with equal legislative power.
- Judicial — Federal judiciary
- Life tenure on good behaviour; nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate.
How legislation is made
A bill is introduced in either chamber, referred to committee, reported, debated and voted. It must pass both chambers in identical text, then be signed by the President or survive a veto by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
Enforcement institutions
- Department of Justice
- Federal prosecution through 93 US Attorneys.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Principal federal investigative agency.
- State and local police
- Roughly 18,000 separate agencies handle ordinary policing.
Government bodies and regulators
- executiveUnited States Department of JusticeEnforces federal law and represents the United States in litigation.
- executiveUS Citizenship and Immigration ServicesAdjudicates immigration and naturalisation benefits.
- executiveInternal Revenue ServiceAdministers and enforces the Internal Revenue Code.
- independentSecurities and Exchange CommissionProtects investors and polices securities markets.
- independentEqual Employment Opportunity CommissionEnforces federal workplace anti-discrimination law.
- independentConsumer Financial Protection BureauSupervises consumer financial products and services.
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