Checks and balances Flashcards
Define checks and balances
A system that allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent anyone branch from exerting too much power.
Checks by the president
On congress
1.1 Can veto bills that congress has passed.
>effectiveness:
-presidential veto is rarely used. Obama only used it 12x in 8 years.
-congress can repeal the president’s veto if 2/3 agree to.
It- Only effective if the president and congress are the same party and not used too often.
1.2 The use of the federal state of the union address to outline desired legislative agenda for the year.
>effectiveness:
-It is good for the public image as the president has explained their political vision.
-congress does not have to listen to the president’s ideas.
-Both the president and congress have a political mandate.
It-Most likely to be effective when the president and congress are from the same party.
On Federal courts
-Nominates judges including supreme court justices.
>effectiveness:
-very effective as nominations nearly always become appointments. The last failure was the appointment of Robert Bark in 1987.
-the power to pardon
Use of executive orders to pass bills and make laws.
-Executive appointments such as judges
checks by congress
On president
-can amend, block or even reject items of legislation recommended by the president e.g in 2010 it passed a significantly amended version of president Obama’s healthcare bill.
Effective
>Very effective.
>The president is very limited in the power that he can exercise over congress.
>separation of powers reduces the influence that the president has.
checks by congress
can overrule the president veto however, there is a process for this.
Not Effective
>presidents do not veto often therefore it should be accepted if they do.
>Require a supermajority in congress difficult to get-not practical.
Checks by congress
The senate has the power to confirm the president’s nominations to the judiciary and some that the makes to the executives.
Not Effective
>presidential nominations are successful over 90% of the time. Amy Corey (SCJ)
Checks by Congress
The power of impeachment, trial and removal from office. (Congress also has the power to impeach and remove the president from the office)
Effective
>Not effective as no president has ever been removed from office this way.
Checks by congress
The power to propose constitutional amendments.
Not effective has only 27 amendments have been made since 1787 and the supreme court has the power to overturn them.
