Federal

Federal

Government

The United States federal government has three independent branches of government - executive, legislative, and judicial. The Executive Branch is headed by the President of the United States and includes numerous Federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Department of Justice. The executive branch is responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws.
The Legislative Branch includes two chambers, the Unites States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, also known as Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives is composed of 435 members, elected to a two-year term serving the people of a specific congressional district, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states. The U.S. Senate is composed of 100 members, elected to a six-year term serving the people of a specific state, where each state has two members. The U.S. Congress meets every year.

The Judicial Branch members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution. The Supreme Court is made up of 9 members. However, the Constitution does grant Congress the power to establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court, and to that end Congress has established the United States district courts, which try most federal cases, and 13 United States courts of appeals, which review appealed district court cases. Federal courts enjoy the sole power to interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of the law, and apply it to individual cases.

IGA engages with every branch of the United States federal government. To meet our Commissioners Court priority outcomes and department objectives, IGA actively discusses and advocates for the public policy related needs of the County. This includes participating in the rule making process of the Executive and Judicial Branches, as well as the legislative process of the Legislative Branch.

Public Health

Harris County improves overall health and quality of life by implementing preventative and responsive public health strategies, providing access to affordable and high-quality health care, and addressing the social determinants of health to eliminate disparities and achieve health equity.

Flooding

Harris County reduces flood risk and strengthens resiliency through holistic, equitable, and effective prevention, mitigation, and response strategies.

Economic Opportunity

Harris County promotes an inclusive and resilient localeconomy by working aggressively to remain competitive over time and expandopportunities for workers, small businesses, and community-driven investmentswhile addressing historical and current economic inequities in doing so.

Housing

Harris County increases access to, incentivizes and investsin quality affordable and flood resilient housing that is widely accessiblethroughout the county, builds safe and healthy neighborhoods, facilitateseconomic opportunity, and provides access to recreational green spaces for allresidents.

Governance and Customer Service

Harris County will aim to exemplify high-quality, transparent, and accountable government by using data and best practices to invest taxpayer dollars wisely; by continually reviewing and improving the effectiveness of our policies, programs, and services; by recruiting and retaining a talented and diverse workforce; and by engaging with and providing outstanding customer service to all of our communities.

Justice and Safety

Harris County promotes safe, healthy, thriving communitiesthrough restorative and evidence-based strategies that foster public trust,prevent violence and trauma, reduce racial and economic disparities, andminimize criminal justice system exposure where at all possible.

Transportation

Harris County promotes accessible, affordable, equitable,reliable, safe, and sustainable transportation options and networks tofacilitate efficient movement of people and goods throughout the region.

Environment

Harris County combats the underlying causes anddisproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities by makingcommunity-driven improvements to air, water, and soil quality, by committing tothe use of clean energy, improving flood resiliency with natural infrastructurepractices, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and providing everyresident access to quality green spaces.

Federal

Resources