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United States Government
The United States is a constitution-based federal system, meaning power is distributed between a national (federal) government and local (state) governments. The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. This ensures that no individual or group will have too much power.
President of the United States
Donald J. Trump
Vice President of the United States
JD Vance
Cabinet
The Cabinet’s role is to advise the President on any subject he or she may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office.
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government, and it is a bicameral legislature, implying that it is made up of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Capitol in Washington DC is the place where the Congress meets regularly. The Senators and the representatives are elected directly by popular vote, and the gubernatorial appointment may fill any vacancy in the Senate. The member of the Congress is affiliated either to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, but in some cases, there could be some members of other parties or an independent candidate. The Congress has 535 members who vote out of which 435 are representatives while 100 are senators.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is more powerful than the House of Representatives and has distinct powers that are not shared with the House. The Senate can debate and review bills and treaties, propose legislation, and provide some oversight of the president's administration. The primary function of the Senate is to represent the interest of the state in the political process as opposed to the House of Representatives which represents the interest of the people.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives also known as the House has the responsibility of representing the citizens as opposed to the senate which represents the interest of the state. The members of the House were chosen by the legislatures of the state until 1913, when the 17th amendment was introduced and from then, they were elected directly by the popular vote. The House has the power to initiate impeachment process, and the senate will bring to the proceedings into the trial setting. They can elect the president when there is a tie in the electoral votes. The House of Representatives can introduce legislation that touches on federal revenues and Taxes.
New York State Congressional Delegation
New York has two senators in the United States Senate and 26 representatives in the United States House of Representatives. New York is a state in the United States.
New York State Congressional Delegation (click to view)
Supreme Court of the United States
The Court is the highest tribunal in the Nation for all cases and controversies arising under the Constitution or the laws of the United States. As the final arbiter of the law, the Court is charged with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, also functions as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and such number of Associate Justices as may be fixed by Congress. The number of Associate Justices is currently fixed at eight (28 U. S. C. §1). Power to nominate the Justices is vested in the President of the United States, and appointments are made with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Chief Justice of the United States |
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John G. Roberts, Jr. |
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Associate Justices |
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| Clarence Thomas Samuel A. Alito, Jr. Sonia Sotomayor Elena Kagan |
Neil M. Gorsuch |
New York State Government
The Government of the State of New York, headquartered at the New York State Capitol in Albany, encompasses the administrative structure of the U.S. state of New York, as established by the state's constitution. Analogously to the US federal government, it is composed of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The head of the executive is the governor. The Legislature consists of the Senate and the Assembly. The Unified Court System consists of the Court of Appeals and lower courts. The state is also divided into counties, cities, towns, and villages, which are all municipal corporations with their own government.
Governor of New York State
Kathy Hochul
The Governor is the chief executive of New York. They serve four-year terms.
What they do:
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Sign or veto legislation.
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Set the state’s yearly budget.
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Appoint the leaders of state agencies such as the Department of Education
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Grant pardons and commutations for state offenses
Comptroller
Thomas P. DiNapoli
The Comptroller is New York’s chief fiscal officer. They serve four-year terms.
What they do:
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Ensure that State and local governments use taxpayer money effectively and efficiently to promote the common good.
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Administer the state’s retirement system for public employees.
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Maintain the state's accounting system and payroll.
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Review State contracts and audits payments.
Attorney General
Letitia James
The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer. They serve four-year terms.
What they do:
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Guard the legal rights of the citizens of New York, its organizations and its natural resources.
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Provide legal counsel to the Executive Branch of State government.
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Oversee the investigations of the New York State Organized Crime Task Force and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
NYC Government
New York City Government
New York is composed of five boroughs – Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island - is home to 8.4 million people who speak more than 200 languages, hail from every corner of the globe, and, together, are the heart and soul of the most dynamic city in the world.
The City government, which is led by a Mayor and a Council of 51 members, is comprised of seventy-two agencies (click to view), and employs more than 300,000 civil servants – including police officers, firefighters, educators, doctors, nurses, artists, and engineers – works to ensure the City promotes public safety, public health and opportunity. New Yorkers elect the Mayor, Borough Presidents, City Council Members, Public Advocate, and Comptroller. These officials are collectively responsible for overseeing City government, either directly or through their appointees. The City Charter defines the authority of each official or body, including community boards, and the relationships among them.
Mayor of the City of New York
Eric L. Adams
The Mayor is the leader of local city government. They serve for 4 years (up to 2 consecutive terms). Visit the Office of the Mayor to view the most recent City news announcements, contact Administration Officials, and learn more about Mayor Adams.
What they do:
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Propose the city’s budget
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Sign or veto bills passed by the City Council
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Appoint leaders to city agencies, including the Schools Chancellor and Police Commissioner
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Set priorities and policy for city agencies
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Manage city land, impacting affordable housing, public parks, and street cleaning
Comptroller
Brad Lander
An independently elected official, the Comptroller is the City's Chief Financial Officer and advises the Mayor, the City Council, and the public of the City's financial condition, and makes recommendations regarding City programs and operations, fiscal policies, and financial transactions. The Comptroller also audits and examines all matters relating to the City's finances. Visit the office of the Comptroller.
The Comptroller manages the city’s finances and assures the city’s financial health. They serve for 4 years (up to 2 consecutive terms).
What they do:
- Audit city agencies and contracts
- Prevent abuses in contracting
- Manage budgets, city investments like trust and pension funds, and bonds
- Advise the Mayor and City Council on the city’s financial condition
Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams
An independently elected public official, the Public Advocate represents the consumers of City services. He reviews and investigates complaints about City services, assesses whether agencies are responsive to the public, and recommends improvements in agency programs and complaint handling procedures; he serves as ombudsman, or go-between, for individuals who are having trouble getting the service, help or answer they need from City agencies; he monitors the effectiveness of the City's public information and education efforts. Visit the office of the Public Advocate.
What they do:
- If the Mayor leaves office, the Public Advocate will act as Mayor until a special election is held
- Introduce and co-sponsor bills in the City Council
- Provide oversight for city agencies
- Investigate citizens’ complaints about city services
Borough Presidents
The Borough Presidents are the executive officials of each borough. The City Charter gives them authority to: work with the Mayor in preparing the annual executive budget submitted to the City Council and to propose borough budget priorities directly to the council; review and comment on major land use decisions and propose sites for city facilities within their respective boroughs; monitor and modify the delivery of city services within their boroughs; and engage in strategic planning for their boroughs.
What they do:
- Consult with the Mayor on the annual budget
- Provide grants to local organizations
- Advise on rezoning
- Appoint representatives to the City Planning Commission and Community Boards
Bronx (Bronx County)- Vanessa L. Gibson
Brooklyn (Kings County) - Antonio Reynoso
Manhattan (New York County)- Mark D. Levine
Queens (Queens County) - Donovan Richards
Staten Island (Richmond County) - Vito Fossella
City Council
The City Council is NYC's legislative body. There are 51 elected members, one from each council district. Besides enacting legislation, the Council approves the City's budget and has oversight powers for the activities of City agencies. Councilmembers serve for 4 years (up to 2 consecutive terms).
The Council monitors the operation and performance of city agencies, makes land use decisions and has sole responsibility for approving the city's budget. It also legislates on a wide range of other subjects. The Council is an equal partner with the Mayor in the governing of New York City. The Speaker of the City Council is Adrienne Adams. View a list of all City Council Members here.
What they do:
- Introduce and vote on bills
- Negotiate and approve the City’s budget
- Monitor city agencies
- Make decisions about the growth and development of our city
