Democracy in Action

Popular sovereignty is the concept of government originated by the people for the benefit of all the people. When all American citizens have the power to vote for elected representatives responsible for the creation of laws this is democracy in action. Limited government means that these elected representatives can only act with the consent of the American people.

The American government is comprised of three branches. These are the legislative, executive and judicial branches. Each branch operates under the concept of separation of powers. The judicial branch interprets the laws and the executive branch executes the laws passed by the legislative branch. A system of checks and balances limits the authority and power of each branch of government.

The United States Senate is one of two bodies of the legislative branch. Voters in each of the 50 states elect two Senators to six-year terms. Each Senator should be at least 30 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years and a resident of the state from which they are elected. According to the United States Constitution, members of the Senate approve Presidential appointments of ambassadors, cabinet members, heads of most federal executive agencies, justices of the Supreme Court and other federal judges. Prior to passing legislation, Senators meet in committees. The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate and votes to break a Senate tie on legislative issues.

The House of Representatives is comprised of 435 voting members proportionally elected every two years according to the population of each Congressional district throughout the 50 states. In addition to representing the people of each congressional district, representatives introduce bills and resolutions, present amendments and serve on committees. The Speaker of the House presides over the congressional representatives. The party with the highest number of elected representatives votes for a majority leader. Minority party Congressional members select a minority leader. Other leaders in the House include assistant leaders and party whips. Whips assist the majority and minority leaders in the management of the legislative agenda for each party on the House floor.

The President of the United States serves as head of state, Commander-in-Chief of the military units that are part of the Department of Defense and has the authority to act upon other powers of the executive branch. The President enforces legislation passed by Congress and appoints all Cabinet members and heads of the federal agencies. The Chief Executive has the power to sign into law bills passed by Congress or to veto Congressional legislation. The President of the United States has the power to negotiate and sign treaties with foreign nations and uses this power to extend pardons and issue executive orders. The Vice President is part of the executive branch and assumes the duties of the President when the President is unable to perform presidential duties. The Cabinet is included in the executive branch and is comprised of the heads of 15 executive departments.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established 13 district courts, three circuit courts and a Supreme Court. The President of the United States nominates the Supreme Court justices and the Senate votes to confirm these nominations. By law, a Supreme Court term lasts for one year beginning the first Monday in October and continuing to the first Monday in October of the next year.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States making the final judgments on any judicial decisions. The court's power of judicial review means that the court is responsible for monitoring the role of each governmental branch. The Supreme Court is the final judge in all cases involving laws passed by Congress and has the power to determine if the Constitution will permit these laws. The Supreme Court may limit the power of both the legislative and executive branches of government in addition to protecting the civil rights and liberties of American citizens though its power to repeal unconstitutional laws.