Executive Legislative Judicial Executive

Congressional Record: The offi cial 

transcript of the proceedings of the U.S. 

Congress.

Constitution: The basic laws and prin-

ciples of a nation that defi ne the powers 

and responsibilities of government and 

the rights of the people. The United States 

has a written constitution, but constitu-

tions in some other nations are unwritten.

Department: The highest administra-

tive division of the Federal Government, 

comparable to a ministry in parliamentary 

systems. Departments are created by law, 

and the head of a department is called 

a secretary (except for the head of the 

Department of Justice, whose title is At-

torney General).