<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> It has been suggested that Presidents of the United States and control of Congress be merged into this article . (Discuss) Proposed since March 2017 . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> It has been suggested that Presidents of the United States and control of Congress be merged into this article . (Discuss) Proposed since March 2017 . </Td> </Tr> <P> In the United States, divided government describes a situation in which one party controls the executive branch while another party controls one or both houses of the legislative branch . </P> <P> Divided government is seen by different groups as a benefit or as an undesirable product of the model of governance used in the U.S. political system . Under said model, known as the separation of powers, the state is divided into different branches . Each branch has separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with the powers associated with the others . The model can be contrasted with the fusion of powers in a parliamentary system where the executive and legislature (and sometimes parts of the judiciary) are unified . Those in favor of divided government believe that such separations encourage more policing of those in power by the opposition, as well as limiting spending and the expansion of undesirable laws . Opponents, however, argue that divided governments become lethargic, leading to many gridlocks . In the late 1980s, Terry M. Moe, a professor of political science at Stanford University, examined the issue . He concluded that divided governments lead to compromise which can be seen as beneficial . But he also noticed that divided governments subvert performance and politicize the decisions of executive agencies . </P>

What is it called when the president and congress are from different parties