According to the Constitution, which branch has the power to establish lower federal courts?

The correct answer indicates that the Legislative branch holds the authority to establish lower federal courts, as outlined in the United States Constitution. Specifically, Article III, Section 1, states that "the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." This provision gives Congress the explicit power to create lower federal courts, such as district and appeals courts, which are essential for the functioning of the federal judiciary.

The importance of this power lies in the system of checks and balances integral to the U.S. governmental structure. By granting Congress the ability to establish these courts, the Constitution ensures that the legislative branch has a role in shaping the judicial system, while also maintaining the independence of the judiciary to interpret and apply the law. This collaborative framework helps prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power.

Understanding this context clarifies why the other branches do not have this power. The Executive branch is primarily responsible for enforcing laws and administering government functions. The Judicial branch interprets the law but does not have the authority to create new courts. The Administrative branch, while involved in various governmental operations, does not exist as a distinct entity in the Constitution's separation of powers framework