Which document outlines the framework of the U.S. government?

The Constitution is the foundational document that outlines the framework of the U.S. government. It establishes the structure of the government by defining the powers and responsibilities of the three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Additionally, the Constitution sets forth the system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, ensuring that the government operates within limits set by the law.

The Declaration of Independence, while a critical document in American history, primarily serves to declare the colonies' separation from British rule and outlines the philosophical justification for independence rather than the governance structure itself. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which specifically enumerate individual liberties and rights but do not lay out the overall framework of government. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution but are not the governing document itself. Thus, the Constitution is central to understanding how the U.S. government is organized and operates.