Final answer:
The solicitor general represents the federal government in the Supreme Court, deciding on and approving cases to appeal from lower courts.
About two-thirds of cases in the Supreme Court involve the federal government. The Supreme Court has the power to rule on federal questions and declare laws or actions unconstitutional.
Step-by-step explanation:
Representation of the Federal Government in the Supreme Court
The individual who represents the federal government whenever a case appears before the Supreme Court is the solicitor general. This legal official not only decides which cases should be taken from lower courts to the Supreme Court but also personally approves each case.
The solicitor general's office is responsible for preparing and filing the necessary petitions and briefs, and the solicitor general or an assistant will present the oral arguments in front of the Court.
Their role is crucial because roughly two-thirds of all Supreme Court cases involve the federal government, signaling the importance of this position. Furthermore, the Supreme Court exclusively hears cases involving a federal question, which pertains to the constitutionality of federal laws or the presence of a federal party, like the U.S. government, in the case.
The Supreme Court itself is an institution established by the U.S. Constitution and has the authority to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional. With its power to shape legal and constitutional interpretation for the future, the decisions made by the Supreme Court create significant impacts on the American legal landscape.