Federal Government Structure

The federal government combines the Constitution’s three branches with a vast network of agencies, commissions, and oversight boards that carry out daily governing—from thethings you can’t legally send through the mail to howMedicaid funding is protected, markets are policed, and security rules are enforced.

Congress and Its Constitutional Powers

Congress sits at the core of the federal structure, wielding powers overtariffs,territories, andimpeachment that define how other branches operate. Its work is shielded by theSpeech or Debate Clause and shaped by internal procedures that can end a shutdown quickly or leave leaders clinging to razor-thin majorities. Legal battles continue over how far Congress can go in checking the President, including blockingtariffs andtreaty withdrawals, while the Supreme Court may strip away some of its oldest authority.