The United States is a federal union of 50 states.The capital of the national government is in Washington D.C. (1)_______________and lists its powers and activities.The Constitution gives Congress the authority to (2)________________.It also gives the federal government the power to deal with national and international problems that involve more than one state.All powers that are not given to the federal government by the Constitution are the responsibility of the individual states.The federal government has three branches--(3)___________________. The legislative branch makes the laws;the executive branch carries out the laws;and the judicial branch interprets the laws.The president heads the executive branch and the Supreme Court heads the judicial branch.The legislative branch includes both houses of Congress--the Senate and the House of Representatives.The Constitution limits the powers of each branch and prevents one branch from gaining too much power.For example.Congress can pass a law and the president may sign it.Nevertheless,the Supreme Court can (4)_____________.
