The Legislative Branch of the usa.

The Constitution, written in 1787, established (встановлювати) a government of three branches (гілки): legislative, executive and judicial.

The legislative branch is made up of (складатися) elected representatives from all of the states and is the only branch that can make federal laws, levy federal taxes (накладати податки), declare war or put foreign treaties [׳tri:tiz] (угоди) into effect (ратифікувати), remove a Supreme Court judge, remove the President, approve (схвалювати) or disapprove of people that the President appoints or gives jobs to. It consists of a Congress that is divided into two groups, called houses:

• The House of Representatives comprises [kәm′praiz] (складатися) lawmakers who serve two-year terms. Each House member represents (представляти) a district in his or her home state. The number of districts in a state is determined (визначатися) by a count of the population taken every 10 years. The most heavily ['hevili] populated (густонаселений) have more districts and, therefore, more representatives than the smaller states, some of which have only one. In the 1980s, there were 435 representatives in the United States House of Representatives.

• The Senate comprises lawmakers who serve six-year terms. Each state, regardless of (незалежно від) population, has two senators. That assures [ə'∫uə] (гарантувати) that the small states have an equal ['i:kwəl] (рівний) voice in one of the houses of Congress. The terms of the senators are staggered ['stægə] (регулювати), so that only one-third of the Senate is elected every two years. That assures that there are some experienced senators in Congress after each election.

The main duty of the Congress is to make laws, including those which levy taxes that pay for the work of the federal government. A law begins as a proposal called a "bill." It is read, studied in committees, commented on and amended (вносити поправку) in the Senate or House chamber (палата) in which it was introduced. It is then voted upon. If it passes, it is sent to the other house where a similar (подібний) procedure [prə'si:ʤə] occurs [ə'kə:] (траплятися). Members of both houses work together in "conference committees" if the chambers have passed different versions of the same bill. Groups who try to persuade [pə'sweid] (переконувати) congressmen to vote for or against a bill are known as "lobbies". When both houses of Congress pass a bill on which they agree, it is sent to the president for his signature ['signit∫ə] (підпис). Only after it is signed [sain](підписувати), the bill becomes a law.

The Executive branch of the USA.

The chief executive of the United States is the president, who, together with the vice president, is elected to a four-year term. Under a Constitutional Amendment (поправка) passed in 1951, a president can be elected to only two terms. Except for the right of succession to the presidency, the vice president's only Constitutional duties are to serve as the presiding officer of the Senate; the vice president may vote (голосувати) in the Senate only in the event of a tie.

The powers (повноваження) of the presidency are formidable, but not without limitations (обмеження). The president, as the chief (головний) formulator of public policy, often proposes legislation to Congress. The president can also veto ['vi:tou] (forbid) any bill passed by Congress. The veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives. As head of his political party, with ready access to the news media, the president can easily influence public opinion regarding issues and legislation that he deems vital.

The president has the authority [o:'θoriti] (повноваження) to appoint (призначати) federal judges as vacancies occur, including members of the Supreme Court. All such court appointments are subject to confirmation (затвердження) by the Senate.

Within the executive branch, the president has broad [bro:d] (широкий) powers to issue regulations and directives regarding the work of the federal government's many departments and agencies. He also is commander in chief of the armed forces.

The president appoints the heads and senior officials of the executive branch agencies; the large majority of federal workers, however, are selected through a non-political civil service system. The major departments of the government are headed by appointed secretaries who collectively make up the president's cabinet. Each appointment must be confirmed by a vote of the Senate. Today these 13 departments are: State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy and Education.

Under the Constitution, the president is primarily responsible for foreign relations with other nations. The president appoints ambassadors and other officials, subject to Senate approval, and, with the secretary of state, formulates and manages the nation's foreign policy. The president often represents the United States abroad in consultations with other heads of state, and, through his officials, he negotiates treaties with other countries. Such treaties must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. Presidents also negotiate with other nations less formal "executive agreements" that are not subject to Senate approval.

The Judicial branch of the USA.

The words "Equal Justice under Law" are carved in marble on front of the four-storey building, the Supreme Court of the United State.

The Supreme Court watches over the legislative and executive branches. It determines whether or not their laws and acts are in accordance with the Constitution. Congress has the power to fix the number of judges sitting on the Court, but it cannot change the powers given to the Supreme Court by the Constitution itself. The Supreme Court consists of a chief and eight associate justices. They are nominated by the President but must be approved by the Senate. Once approved, they hold office as Supreme Court Justices for life. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be appealed to any other court. It is the Court of final appeal. The responsibility and power of these nine people can affect the lives of all Americans and can change society significantly.

With minor exception, all its cases reach the Court on appeal from lower federal or state courts. Most of these cases involve disputes over the interpretation of laws and legislation. In this capacity, the Courts most important function consists of determining whether congressional legislation or executive action violates the Constitution. This power of judicial review is not specifically provided for by the Constitution; rather, it is the Court's interpretation of its Constitutional role.

In addition to the Supreme Court, the Congress has established 11 federal courts of appeal and, below them, 91 federal district courts. Federal judges are appointed for life or voluntary retirement, and can only be removed from office through the process of impeachment and trial in the Congress.

Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases arising out of the Constitution; laws and treaties of the United States; maritime cases; issues involving foreign citizens or governments; and cases in which the federal government itself is a party. Ordinarily, federal courts do not hear cases arising out of the laws of individual states.

The judicial branch has the power to:

- decide what a law means;

- decide if a law agrees with the Constitution or disagrees with it;

- decide if actions of the President agree with the Constitution or disagree with it;

- settle arguments between the states and protect the right of the people.

13 Об’єднане Королівство Великої Британії та Північної Ірландії, політична система