Independent political institutions with staggered terms of office. One cannot force another to act, e.g. President v. Congress or Senate v.
House and vice versa.
President
4 year term with a possible 2nd term.
Can potentially serve 6 to 10 years if the
President dies in the first or second two years of 2nd term.
Congress Senate
House of Representatives
Senate: 6 year term House: 2 year term
(the only directly elected government officials under the Constitution)
Supreme Court
Life appointment by
the President; confirmed majority of the Senate