Who is in the Government & What Do They Do?

Branches of Government

There are multiple levels of government that create policy and enforce laws where we live. At the federal level, there are three branches of government that ideally balance one another out. These levels are:

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch carries out the laws. The President is the leader of this branch. The President, Vice President, and other leaders make sure the laws are followed.

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch makes the laws. It is made up of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. They work together to decide what laws to create for the country.

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch explains the laws. The Supreme Court is the highest court in this branch. Justices on the Supreme Court and judges on the federal courts decide if laws are fair and if they follow the Constitution.

Similarly, Pennsylvania’s state and local government has the same structure and each branch has a different job.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch carries out the laws. The governor leads this branch. In a city or town, the mayor often leads it. They make sure the laws are followed.

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch makes state or local laws. State lawmakers or city council members work to create laws and rules that help their communities.

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch explains the laws. The PA Supreme Court is the highest court in this branch. Justices on the PA Supreme Court and judges on the other state and local courts decide if laws are fair and if they follow the state constitution.

You can learn more about Pennsylvania’s courts here.