Legislative branch: Congress; makes the laws Executive branch: The president and agencies; carry out the laws Judicial branch: The courts; interpret the laws Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives together Senate: Part of Congress with 100 members, two from each state House of Representatives: Part of Congress with 435 voting members, based on state population Senator's term: Six years Representative's term: Two years President's term: Four years Vice president: Takes over if the president cannot serve and presides over the Senate Cabinet: Advisers who lead major departments Federal agency: Part of the executive branch that does a specific job, like the FDA or NASA Supreme Court: The nation's highest court, with nine justices Federal judge: Judge appointed by the president and approved by the Senate; serves for life Justice: A member of the Supreme Court Chief Justice: The leader of the Supreme Court Bill: A proposed law Law: A rule made by government Veto: President says no to a bill Override: Congress passes a bill again over a veto with a two-thirds vote Separation of powers: Splitting government power among three branches Checks and balances: Each branch has ways to limit the others Congress checks the president: By passing laws, controlling funds and impeaching officials President checks Congress: By vetoing bills Courts check Congress and the president: By ruling that laws or actions are unconstitutional Senate checks the president: By confirming nominees and approving treaties President checks the courts: By nominating judges Congress checks the courts: By approving judges, creating lower courts and proposing amendments Impeach: To charge an official with serious wrongdoing Confirm: To approve a nominee, which the Senate does Nominate: To propose someone for a job Treaty: Agreement with another nation, made by the president with Senate approval Commander in chief: The president as head of the military Declare war: Power given to Congress Pass a budget: Congress decides how federal money is spent Regulate trade: Congress can set rules for trade between states and with other countries Interpret laws: Courts decide what laws mean Judicial review: Courts can decide a law goes against the Constitution Appeals court: Court that reviews decisions of lower courts District court: Federal trial court Executive order: Directive from the president to run the executive branch Pardon: President's power to forgive a federal crime Speaker of the House: Leader of the House of Representatives Majority leader: Senate or House leader of the largest party Committee: Small group of members who study bills in detail Filibuster: Using long speeches to delay a vote in the Senate Quorum: Minimum number of members needed to do business Term limit: Limit on how long someone may hold an office Constituent: A person represented by an elected official Lobbyist: Person who tries to influence lawmakers on behalf of a group Federal budget: Plan for how the national government will spend and raise money Capitol: Building in Washington, DC where Congress meets White House: Residence and office of the president Supreme Court building: In Washington, DC, with the words 'Equal Justice Under Law' Marbury v. Madison: 1803 case that established judicial review Number of justices: Nine; the number is set by Congress Why three branches?: So no single group has too much power Executive departments: Fifteen major departments such as State, Treasury, Defense and Education Secretary of State: Cabinet member who handles foreign relations Attorney General: Head of the Justice Department Independent agency: Federal agency not part of a cabinet department Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/us-three-branches-of-government