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The federal government of the United States is divided into
three main branches: the legislative, the executive and the judicial.
The legislative branch of the government is the Congress. The
function of the legislative branch of the government is to make
laws and to finance the operation of the government through
gathering taxes and appropriating money requested by the
executive branch of the government.
The executive branch, which includes the President, Vice –
President and the President’s cabinet, is responsible for
administering and executive the laws.
The judicial branch, which includes the Supreme Court of the
United States and the system on federal courts, has the
responsibility of judging the constitutionality of the acts of law.

The Constitution gives Congress the power to:
- raise money by means of taxes and borrowings;
- make rules for trade with foreign countries and between
states;
- set up post offices and federal courts;
- organize the Armed Forces;
- declare war;
- approve the appointment of high officials;
- approve a treaty between the US and a foreign country
before the treaty can become a law.
The President administers national government, names higher
officials. He has the initiative in foreign affairs, he is Commander-
in-chief of the armed forces. The President outlines the course of
his administration through his frequent messages to Congress (the
annual state of the Union message, the annual budget message and
the annual economic report).
By tradition the Cabinet consists of the President and heads
(Secretaries) of the Government departments. It consists of 1)
Secretary of State, 2) Secretary of the Treasury, 3) Secretary of
Defense, 4) Attorney-General (Department of Justice), 5)
Secretary of the Interior, 6) Secretary of Agriculture, 7) Secretary
of Commerce, 8) Secretary of Labor, 9) Secretary of Health,
Education and Welfare, 10) Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, 11) Secretary of Transportation.