Government and Politics

Established by the United States Constitution, the United States governmental body features three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial. The three branches of government provide a ‘checks and balances' system of governing through the separation of powers.

Quick facts:

• The power of the legislative branch of the federal government rests with the United States Congress.
• The power of the executive branch of federal government rests with the president of the United States.
• The judicial branch of the federal government is under the authority of the United States Supreme Court
• The seat of the U.S. federal government is in Washington, D.C.

Though the Constitution grants power to the federal government, the 10th Amendment provides that powers not addressed at the federal level, fall to state-level government.

Towns and cities are typically governed by local governmental bodies that enact laws affecting their respective communities. In general, mayors are the highest officials elected to oversee their areas.

At the state level, each state in the United States is governed by its own written Constitution, as well as its own code of laws and government. In Texas, as in all but one state in the Union - Nebraska - state governments operate on a bicameral system called a state legislature. State legislators are elected to represent their state's voters.