The 3 branches of US government - Essay Example

Executive Branch Consisting of the president, vice president, and cabinet departments, the executive branch implements and executes laws. As a head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the president possesses the power to appoint heads of federal agencies and the cabinet. The branch ensures that the daily responsibilities of the federal government are carried out. Policies on foreign relations, agriculture, and housing, among others, are implemented by the different offices and departments of the executive branch.

The National Security Council offers advice to the president on matters of foreign policy, intelligence, and national security. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) creates farming, agriculture, and food policies. Finally, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implements programs and policies on housing needs, community development, and fair housing laws. Budget, research, and legislative support, I think, are the primary challenges faced by the executive branch when it comes to public policy formation and implementation.

The budget of each department is used mainly in the administration of duties, compensation of employees, and implementation of current policies. Budget constraints may pose a problem in policy formation. To form a public policy, research is needed to identify the problems and solutions of a public issue. The amount of resources allotted to research may also pose a problem. Finally, public policies should be consistent with laws which necessitate the support of the legislative branch. Legislative Branch Consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate (forming the Congress), the legislative branch possesses the sole authority to pass legislations for the country.

The branch possesses the power to reject or approve appointments made by the president. To pass legislations, both the House and the Senate must past the same bill by majority vote. Finally, the branch allocates fund for the federal government and provides assistance to the 50 U.S. states. The legislative branch’s role when it comes to public policy lies in the passing of policies. These policies should adhere to the Constitution and should not contradict or break existing laws and regulations.

The challenges faced by this branch, I believe, include conflict from the executive and judicial branches and the public themselves. The executive branch may find a policy to be desirable, but legislative branch finds it incompatible with existing laws. This situation may create some inter-departmental conflicts. The same is true with the judicial branch which may hold a different interpretation of a policy. Finally, public sentiment can exert emotional pressure on the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Judicial Branch Consisting of the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts, the judicial branch possesses the sole power to interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of a law, and hear cases. Members of the judicial branch are appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate. The judicial branch ensures that disputes on public policies are heard and decided upon by courts. A judicial interpretation of proposed public policies ensures that they address public issues and are compatible with existing laws.

A challenge for this branch to overcome is the political pressure from both the executive and legislative branches. When deciding on public policies, it must ensure that legal and public interest are served instead of political interests. Advocacy groups, meanwhile, can influence the branch in its judicial duties that’s why it must maintain a healthy distance between itself and the public.