The US Government

Question 1

The US President

Answer 1

• Can hold office up to 4 years
• Maximum limit of 2 terms
• Head of state/government
• Commander and Chief of US Federal forces
• Has power to nominate people, e.g. foreign ambassadors, judges subject to the approval of the Congress
• Primarily responsible for the US’ relations with foreign nations

Question 2

The US Congress

Answer 2

• Composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate
• HoR: lower chamber / Senate: upper chamber
• The number of HoR’s depend on the state’s population size
• HoR’s are elected every 2 years
• 2 Senators per state
• 1/3 of senators are elected every 6 years
• The Congress has the power to pass laws, raise and spend public taxation

Question 3

The US Supreme Court

Answer 3

• Highest court of appeal in the country
• Composed of 9 judges called Justices
• Nominated by President, approved by Congress
• They hold their job for life and either resign or die in service
• Judicial Review: ensures that no law contradicts the US Constitution

Question 4

Federalism/Federal and State governments

Answer 4

• Federal government is primarily responsible for US foreign and defence policy
• Most power under the federal system is delegated to states within a union
• Each state has a Governor, Assembly and Supreme Court
• Ability to pass their own laws, raise taxes
• Control their own police, education and transport policies