How Government Works

The Constitution sets forth clear guidelines that must be followed for the United States to declare war on another nation. However, in the centuries since the Constitution was written, the nature of the world and war have changed drastically. This book contextualizes some of the conflicts in American history, from the last declaration of war for World War II to the conflicts of Vietnam through to Iraq and Afghanistan. It investigates how Congress and the president have historically followed the rules, how those rules have evolved, and how citizens and politicians influence the process of declaring war. This resource closely aligns with the objectives of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.

Taxes are often regarded as a dreaded topic, but in reality, the revenue from taxes is what keeps the United States government running. Money from taxes helps the government to provide essential services, such as schools, roads, and Social Security benefits. Through accessible explanations that align with the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, this volume illustrates how the president, Congress, and the IRS work together to fund the federal government, as well as the people and processes behind state and local taxes. This book paints a vivid and engaging picture of the people who levy taxes and legislate tax reforms, imparting the necessity of tax collection.

Every year, Congress is supposed to pass a budget, balancing military spending with domestic needs like infrastructure, Social Security, and education. This book meets objectives in the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards and describes the steps of the budgeting process in reader-friendly terms. It considers the groups behind passing a budget, including the Office of Management and Budget, the Congressional Budget Office, and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The book also explores the reconciliation process, the national debt, and how the different branches of the government intersect while setting economic policy. This volume also considers up-to-date instances of budget items and the consequences of budgets failing to pass, particularly the government shutdowns of 2013 and 2018.

The president's ability to issue executive orders is a process steeped in misconceptions. This must-have volume looks at the history of this important executive power, explains executive orders that have had wide-ranging effects, and demonstrates the legal limits of the president's power. With emphases on checks and balances put in place by the U.S. Constitution and responses from Congress and the Supreme Court to past executive orders, the book covers the objectives of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards. Contemporary examples of executive orders, such as President Trump's orders related to immigration, provide background knowledge about key debates today.

At both the state and federal level, vetoing laws is an essential form of checks and balances. Vetoing Laws demonstrates the ins and outs of how laws are vetoed, what happens after a veto, and why wielding vetoes has both symbolic and tangible implications. The book also employs primary sources to describe the origin of the veto, in accordance with the aims of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards. Modern examples of vetoes are included, such as President Obama's veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline.