Checks and Balances

Question 1

Legislative Branch:

Answer 1

• Override vetos
• The House can impeach a President and the Senate can vote/confirm an impeachment
• The Senate must confirm Presidential appointments and ratify treaties
• Congress controls the budget and approves executive funding
• Congress can impeach and remove judicial judges
• Can pass new laws or make amendments to override judicial decisions
• Has the power to determine jurisdiction of lower federal courts

Question 2

Executive Branch:

Answer 2

• The President can veto legislation
• The President can call special sessions of Congress
• Can issue executive orders to manage operations of federal government
• Nominates all federal judges
• Can grant pardons and excuse federal crimes

Question 3

Judicial Branch:

Answer 3

• Can declare laws passed by Congress as unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison)
• Declare executive acts unconstitutional
• In summary, Judicial Review
• Lifetime appointments removing political pressure from them