Branches of U.S. Gov't The government structure in the United States is divided into three distinct branches that work in conjunction to ensure that the country and its citizens are governed justly. These branches were established in Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the United States Constitution. Furthermore, each of these branches plays a major role in the development of public policy.

The executive branch of the government is made up of the president, vice-president, and fifteen Cabinet-level departments (Trethan, 2012). In this governing sphere, the president holds primary power; he, or she, has the power to choose the vice president, and also appoints Cabinet members who are subsequently responsible to head their respective departments. One of the most important functions of the executive branch is to ensure that "laws are carried out and enforced to facilitate such day-to-day responsibilities of the federal government as collecting taxes, safeguarding the homeland, and representing the United States' political and economic interests around the world" (Trethan, 2012). One of the ways that the executive branch influences public policy is through the President's appointment of Cabinet members. The President has the power to issue "rules, regulations,...

For instance, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13572 on April 29, 2011, which blocked the property of certain persons with respect to human rights abuses in Syria (2011 Executive Orders Signed by Barack Obama, 2012).
The legislative branch of the government is made up the Senate and House of Representatives. This branch of government is "charged with passing the nation's laws and allocating funds for the running of the federal government and providing assistance to the 50 U.S. states" (Trethan, 2012). The legislative branch of the government is responsible for translating what the public wants/needs into public policy in the form of laws and regulations. Despite his role in the executive branch, the President also plays a major role in the legislative branch as he holds the power to veto any bill that is passed by Congress, "and unless two-thirds in each house vote to override the veto, the bill does not become law" (Huisman, 2010). The most recent bill to be vetoed by President Obama was H.R. 3808 -- Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 -- that failed to pass in the House after Obama's veto (Bill…