US Government at Work

As you read through this lesson, think about the adventurous life of that little cartoon bill (and others like him) and the impact he might have on the American political system and, in very real ways, your life.

1. Explain how legislative, executive, and judicial powers are distributed and shared among the three branches of national government.
2. Describe how the United States Congress makes laws.
3. Examine the ways in which the executive branch carries out laws.
4. Explore how laws are interpreted by courts through an adversarial process, e.g., plaintiff, defendant.

For more information, look up the following Web site(s):

• The White House
• United States Senate
• United States House of Representatives
• Federal Judiciary
• FirstGov
• Federal Departments
• Government Printing Office
• "Acts of Congress Held Unconstitutional in Whole or in Part, 1789-1989"