The Term Administration, as used in the context of Government, Differs According to jurisdiction. The federal government of the United States is the national government or Administrative Government of the United States. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and several island possessions. The Administrative Map of the USA is divided into three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The constitution of the USA defined the powers and duties of these 3 branches.
The primary or first-level administrative division of the United States is the state. Each state controlled the governmental jurisdiction over a defined geographic territory and shares its sovereignty with the United States federal government.
Administrative Division Map
All state governments are consist of the same three branches of the country: executive, legislative, and judicial. They hold the plenary power to make laws covering anything not preempted by the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties ratified by the U.S. Senate. All the states are divided into counties. It is the smaller administrative regions of the state.
States
The primary or first-level administrative division of the United States is the state. Each state controlled the governmental jurisdiction over a defined geographic territory and shares its sovereignty with the United States federal government. Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are 4 states that call themselves “commonwealths.”
Counties
Counties are the smaller administrative regions of the state. Every state has many counties. 48 U.S. states without Louisiana and Alaska used the term “county”. These 2 states have functionally equivalent subdivisions called parishes and boroughs, respectively.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia (DC) is under the direct authority of Congress. It was formed by the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801. It is located on the Potomac River bordering Maryland and Virginia. The city is one of the most visited cities in the United States, with more than 20 million visitors annually.
Three Distinct Branches
- Legislative – Makes laws (Congress)
- Executive – Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet)
- Judicial – Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)
Legislative Branch
The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The senators and representatives are elected through direct election. There are 535 voting members, 435 representatives, and 100 senators in Congress. In 1789, the Constitution of the United States Created congress. It replaces the legislative function of the Congress of the Confederation.
Executive Branch
The executive branch creates and enforces laws. It includes the President, Vice President, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees.
Key Roles of the Executive Branch:
- President – The President leads the country and He/she is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
- Vice President – The Vice President supports the President. If the President is unable to serve, the Vice President becomes President. The Vice President can be elected and serve an unlimited number of four-year terms as Vice President, even under a different president.
- The Cabinet – Cabinet members serve as advisors to the President. They include the Vice President and the heads of executive departments. The President selects the Cabinet members and Senate approved them (with at least 51 votes).
Judicial Branch
The Judiciary, under Article III of the Constitution, explains and applies the laws. This branch does this by hearing and eventually making decisions on various legal cases. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The President and the Senate nominated the Justices of the Supreme Court.