Which institution is part of the U.S. government?

The institution that is part of the U.S. government and serves as one of its foundational structures is Congress. Congress is a bicameral legislature that consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is responsible for making federal laws, overseeing the executive branch, and representing the interests of the people in the legislative process. As a key component of the governmental system established by the U.S. Constitution, Congress plays a crucial role in shaping national policy and governance.

The other listed options, while they are important entities related to the U.S. government, do not hold the same legislative power as Congress. The Supreme Court and the Department of Education are indeed part of the broader federal government structure but serve different functions—one in interpreting laws and the other in overseeing national education policy, respectively. The Federal Reserve is the central banking system of the U.S. and regulates monetary policy, but it does not have the legislative authority that Congress does. Thus, Congress stands out as the primary legislative branch of the U.S. government.