U.S. Government
The US government, also known as the Federal government, is made up of three branches of the government as stipulated by the constitution which separates their powers under article I, II and III. They are the Legislative or Congress which constitutes of two parts which are the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Executive which is headed by the president, the Judicial is the last branch which constitutes of the Supreme Court and other lower federal courts. Although the three branches have their own powers and responsibilities, the Congress is the most powerful branch of government.
Expressed powers or enumerated powers are the do’s and don’ts of the government. They are listed in Article I section 8 of the constitution. Some of the expressed powers of the Congress listed are, power to tax, maintain and make laws that govern the armed forces, to establish post offices and roads, power to borrow, to regulate commerce with other foreign nations and among the states at well, to create a federal court system, to declare war, establish laws of naturalization, coin money, provide and arm a militia to execute federal laws etc. and more importantly making laws. Contrary to the many powers the constitution grants Congress, the Executive power is vested in the president in Article II section 1. The powers he or she holds include, appointing and nominating people to work for the government, He or she may sign or veto a law, creating and negotiating treaties and signing the budget. Compared to Congress, the Judicial has few expressed powers which are interpreting the law, authorizing federal courts to hear cases, disputes between citizens and the state and it defines treason and gives its punishment. From the expressed powers above, it’s evident that Congress or the Legislative is the most powerful branch of government.
Checks and balances are whereby the three branches of government are prevented from being in control over the other by being put in check since none should be above the other. The Congress in this case is more superior because it has quite some advantages over the other branches. The president has the authority to nominate or make appointments for some government workers but Congress will keep the Executive in check by approving these appointments. The president can make decisions of his army joining a war. Congress can pull the rug since it has been granted by the constitution to declare war and to fund the army as well leaving the president no choice but to end the escapade. Congress has the authority to approve the judges of their choice to the Judicial branch and it has the authority to make constitutional amendments to overrule decisions made by the judiciary. The Congress as well is kept in check by the other branches by for example the Judicial may declare laws passed by both Executive and Congress unconstitutional. The president as well has the power to veto laws that the Congress wants to pass. The branches …
