Administration. The Executive Branch of the Government

The US. Constitution defines a federal system of government in which certain powers are delegated to the national government; other powers fall to the states.

The national government consists of executive, legislative and judicial branches that are designed to check and balance one another; all are interrelated and overlapping yet each is quite distinct.

Since the Constitution was ratified in 1788, there have been 26 amendments to it. The first 10, known as the Bill of Rights, established a number of liberties. Notable among the other amendments are the 13th, 14th and 15th, which abolished slavery and declared former slaves citizens with the right to vote; the 17th,which provided for the direct election of U.S. senators; and the 19th, which effected women's suffrage.

Amending the Constitution requires a proposal by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or by a national convention.

The executive branch of the government is headed by the president, who must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old and a resident of the country for at least 14 years. The formal responsibilities of the president include those of chief executive, treaty maker, commander in chief of the army and head of state.

In practice, they have grown to include drafting legislation, formulating foreign policy, personal diplomacy and leadership of his political party. The members of the president's Cabinet — the secretaries of State, Treasury, Defence, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labour, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Education, Energy and Veterans Affairs and the attorney general — are appointed by the president with the approval of the Senate.

Administration. The Legislative Branch of the Government

The legislative branch of the government is the Congress, which has two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Powers granted Congress, under the Constitution include the power to levy taxes, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce, declare war, seat members, discipline its own membership, and determine its rules of procedure.

With the exception of revenue bills, which must originate in the House of Representatives, legislative bills may be introduced in and amended by either house; a bill — with its amendments — must pass both houses and be signed by the president before it becomes law. The president may veto a bill, but a veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of both houses.

The House of Representatives is chosen by the direct vote of the electorate in single-member districts in each state, the number of representatives allotted to each state being based on population and the overall total never exceeding 435. Members must be 25 years old, residents of the states from which they are elected, and previously citizens of the United States for at least seven years.

It has become practically imperative, though not constitutionally required that they be inhabitants of the districts that elect them. They serve for a two-year period. The speaker of the House, who is chosen by the majority party, presides over debate, appoints members of select and conference committees and performs other important duties. The parliamentary leaders of the two parties are the majority floor leader and the minority floor leader.

Bills introduced by members in the House of Representatives are received by the standing committees, which meet in private executive session and can amend, expedite, delay or kill the bills. The committee chairmen traditionally have attained their positions on the basis of seniority, but this practice has been challenged. The Rules Committee, traditionally conservative, has great power to determine which bills will be brought to the floor of the House for consideration.

Each state elects two senators at large. Senators must be at least 30 years old, residents of the state from which they are elected, and previously citizens of the United States for at least nine years. Each term of service is for six years, and terms are so arranged that one-third of the members are elected every two years.

The Senate has 16 standing committees, among which the most prominent are those on Foreign Relations, Finance, Appropriations and Governmental Affairs. Debate is almost unlimited and may be used to delay the vote on a bill indefinitely. Treaties made by the president with other governments must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.