Speak about the USA State System

The United States is a federal republic consisting of fifty states. Each state has its own government. The present constitution was proclaimed in 1787 in Philadelphia.

Under the Constitution the federal government is divided into three branches. The executive branch is headed by the President. He is head of the state and the government, he names the ministers. He, together with the Vice-President is chosen every four years. The legislative branch is made up of Congress. Congress consists of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Elections to the House of Representatives take place every two years, when the whole House of Representatives is replaced. The House has 435 members; the number of representatives elected by each state depends on the number of inhabitants in the state. There are 100 senators (two from each state). They are elected to serve for a period of six years. The Vice-President acts as chairman of the Senate. Both Houses must approve the bill for it to become a law.

Election Day is always in November, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday.

The judicial branch is made up of Federal District Court, 11 Federal Courts of Appeals and, at the top, the Supreme Court.

In the USA there are two main political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

The various states have legislative and executive bodies of their own. Their structure, function and competence are determined by the Constitution of each state. There is an elected governor at the head of each state. States enjoy independence in their domestic affairs, including financial matters. However state laws and actions of state authorities must not conflict with the Constitution of the USA.

Answer the questions

  1. How many states are there in the USA now?
  2. What kind of state is the United States of America?
  3. Who is head of the state and the government in the USA?
  4. What are the two main political parties in the USA?
  5. What are the duties of the American President? (to propose bills to Congress; to enforce federal laws; to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; to make treaties; to appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and other members of the Executive Departments).