The U.S. Federal Government is the national government of the United States. Established in 1789, its powers are defined and vested by the Constitution, which has been in continuous effect since March 4, 1789. The government adheres to principles of federalism, republicanism, and democracy. Power is divided among three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch, Congress, comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state has two senators, while the number of representatives is based on the state's population. The executive branch is led by the President, and the judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court.
The U.S. Constitution, with approximately 4,400 words, is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any major government. It originally did not set forth requirements for the right to vote, which initially was limited to male property owners. Amendments can repeal parts of the Constitution, such as the 18th Amendment regarding Prohibition, which was later repealed. The original Constitution was penned by Jacob Shallus for $30, and since 1952, it has been on display at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.. In 2025, the total debt owed by the government was equivalent to $112,700 per person in the U.S. In January 2026, the unemployment rate was 4.3%, and the overall inflation rate was 2.4%.
