Three+Branches+of+Government

=**__Legislative Branch__**= Writes and enacts laws Enacts taxes, authorizes borrowing, and sets the budge Has sole power to declare war May start investigations, especially against the executive branch Often appoints the heads of the executive branch Sometimes appoints judges Ratifies treaties

=**__Judaical Branch__**= Determines which laws Congress intended to apply to any given case Determines whether a law is unconstitutional Determines how Congress meant the law to apply to disputes Determines how a law acts to determine the disposition of prisoners Determines how a law acts to compel testimony and the production of evidence Determines how laws should be interpreted to assure uniform policies in a top-down fashion via the appeals process, but gives discretion in individual cases to low-level judges. (The amount of discretion depends upon the [|standard of review], determined by the type of case in question.) Polices its own members Is never immune to arbitrary dismissal by Congress through impeachment proceedings

=**__Executive Branch__**=
 * President**
 * Commander in Chief of armed forces (can’t declare war)
 * Enforces laws (may request but not pass laws)
 * Make treaties with foreign nations
 * Appoint officials of the United States
 * If there is a law the President doesn't approve of, he can **veto** it.
 * May not refuse to spend money allocated for certain purposes.
 * Wages war at the direction of Congress (Congress makes the rules for the military).
 * Makes decrees or decelerations and promulgates lawful regulations and executive orders.
 * Apoints judges.
 * Has power to grant pardons to convicted persons, excluding the crime of impeachment
 * Vice President**
 * Prepare to take over **if** President dies.
 * The Cabinet**
 * **Department of Agriculture**: supports the production of Agriculture for all Americans
 * **Department of Commerce**: deals with issues concerning international trade, economic growth and technological advances
 * **Department of Defense**: responsible for matters related to the nation’s armed forces
 * **Department of Education**: ensures that all Americans receive equal access to Educational opportunities
 * **Department of Energy:** responsible for the research and development of energy use and technology for our nation
 * **Department of Health & Human Services:** its primary responsibility is the administration of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs
 * **Department of Housing and Urban Development:** manages programs which assist with community development and the provision of affordable housing for all Americans
 * **Department of Interior:** protects the nations environment and develops our natural resources
 * **Department of Justice**: assist US Government with legal issues. The Attorney General is the chief law officer and head of the department
 * **Department of Labor:** assist Americans with obtaining jobs, promoting improved working conditions and supporting better labor management relationships
 * **Department of State:** advises the President on matters of foreign policy
 * **Department of Transportation:** provides safe & efficient transportation systems & their policies
 * **Department of Treasury:** concerned with the momentary and fiscal policies of our nation
 * **Department of Veteran Affairs:** provides benefits & services for veterans & their families