Three Branches of the Federal GovernmentThe Legislative BranchCongress is the legislative branch of the Union,and it consists of two houses:the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each House serves as a check on the other. The main function of the Congress is to pass laws for the Union.The revenue bills-proposed laws to raise money for the government-must begin in the House-Only after the House has approved then can the Senate act on them. The House alone also has the power to choose a President under certain circumstances.Congress is not only the U.S.national legislature but also a political body.Most representatives and Senators try to carry out the programs of the political parties to which they belong.Today,the Democrats and the Republications are America's two largest political parties.Whichever party wins the largest number of seats in the House is the majority part and the other party is the minority party of the House. The same is true in the Senate.Each House of Congress has two party committees,one set up by the majority party and the other by the minority party.The purpose of party committees is to influence the law-making process.In each House of Congress,the majority party selects a majority floor(议员席）leader and the minority party selects a minority floor leader.The floor leader is the chief spokesperson and legislative strategist for the party.The Executive BranchThe U.S.Constitution created an executive branch to carry out the laws passed by Congress and to run the day-to-day business of government.The executive branch is a vast bureaucratic machinery.There are now twelve executive departments and more than a hundred independent agencies.The President holds the highest office in the federal government. The powers of the President are great,but not without limitations.The president has the authority to appoint federal justices as vacancies occur,including members of the Supreme Court.Within the executive branch,the President has broad powers to issue regulations and directives regarding the work of the federal government's many departments and agencies. The President appoints the head and senior officials of the executive branch agencies.The President is primarily responsible for foreign relations with other countries. The President appoints ambassadors and other officials,subject to Senate approval,and with the Secretary of Sate formulates and manages the nation’s foreign policy.The President is the head of state elected by the whole nation. Presidential elections take place every four years . Although many parties parties present presidential candidates, the elections have been dominated by the two major bourgeois parties-the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The people can only choose between the candidates put up by the parties.The Judicial BranchIn the United States there are two systems of laws and courts; federal and state and each is independent of the other. Federal courts enforce federal laws while state courts enforce state laws. The Constitution says: "The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such lower courts as Congress may establish. All the judges shall hold their offices during good behavior."The federal courts do not actively seek out cases. The courts will not act until an individual or an organization files a lawsuit challenging the law. Cases within the federal court system are divided into three categories: civil cases,criminal cases and cases in equity. A civil suit is a dispute over the legal rights and duties of the parties to the suit. A criminal case involves an attempt to punish someone accused of breaking the law. A case in equity involves an attempt to correct an unfair situation before it is too late. Cases in equity are intended to provide relief where the ordinary remedies of the law might come too late.The state courts have judicial power over all civil and criminal cases arising under state laws. The state courts system is generally similar to the federal system, to the extent that it also has a number of trail courts and intermediate courts, and a single court of last resort. They impose various sentences for various crimes.Two features of the American legal system that merit attention are the bail system and "habeas corpus"(人身保护权）.A suspect can be set loose after handing in the required bail; however must be ready to appear for his trial,or he forfeits his bail.A writ of habeas corpus requires the police to release from jail any person not charged with a specific crime within 48 hours. Questions 1-10 are based on this magazine article on 3 different branches of the U.S.Government.Answer each question by choosing A,B,or C.Which of the three branches...9.( )is primarily responsible for foreign relations with other countries?
A、The Legislative Branch
B、The Executive Branch
C、The Judicial Branch
【正确答案】：B
【题目解析】：The President is primarily responsible for foreign relations with other countries.P354-357
