US civics is the study of how the government works and what it means to be a citizen. The basics are three branches of government, a multi-step process for turning a bill into a law, and a set of rights that come with responsibilities.
This page is a starting point for students and covers the federal government. It doesn’t cover state or local government in depth, or the details of any one current policy debate.
What are the three branches of government?
The US government splits its power across three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Each one is defined by its own article of the Constitution, according to Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government.
Congress, the legislative branch, writes and passes laws. The president leads the executive branch, which enforces laws and runs federal agencies. The courts, headed by the Supreme Court, make up the judicial branch, and they interpret laws and decide whether they follow the Constitution.
This section covers the federal branches only. State governments have their own separate legislative, executive and judicial branches, with their own rules.
How does a bill become a law?
A bill becomes a law by passing through several stages in Congress and then getting the president’s signature. It can also become law by surviving a veto override, according to USA.gov.
A member of Congress introduces a bill, and a committee reviews and can change it before either the House or the Senate votes on it. If it passes, the other chamber repeats the process. Once both chambers agree on an identical bill, it goes to the president, who can sign it into law or veto it. Congress can override a veto with enough votes in both chambers.
This section covers regular federal bills. It doesn’t cover treaties, presidential nominations, or the special budget rules Congress sometimes uses.
What rights and responsibilities do citizens have?
The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protects rights such as free speech and freedom of religion. It also guarantees the right to a fair trial, according to the National Archives.
Along with these rights, citizens have responsibilities, including obeying laws, serving on a jury when called, and paying taxes. Voting is a right for eligible citizens rather than a legal requirement, but it is one of the main ways citizens take part in government.
This section covers rights under the US Constitution. It doesn’t cover the different rights and processes that apply to non-citizens.
Where can I find current civics resources?
These four resources were checked and were live as of this writing.
- Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government, from the Government Publishing Office, explains government basics for three age groups, from early elementary through high school.
- America’s Founding Documents, from the National Archives, has the full text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, with images of the originals.
- How Laws Are Made, from USA.gov, walks through each step from introducing a bill to a president’s signature or veto.
- iCivics offers free civics games and videos on topics such as the branches of government, elections and the courts, mainly for grades 6 through 12.
For related topics, visit our US history section or the social studies hub. Our homework help page has more general study tips for reports and projects.
Sources
- Government Publishing Office. Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government: Branches
- National Archives. America’s Founding Documents
- USA.gov. How Laws Are Made
- iCivics. Student Games and Resources