Checks And Balances

Question 1

Name two ways the president can carry out checks on the courts?

Answer 1

President nominated all federal judges, including when a vacancy, the Supreme Court
President can issue pardons and commutations to those convicted of federal crimes

Question 2

Give an example the president nominating all federal judges, and when a vacancy, to the Supreme Court- President checks on courts

Answer 2

Obama appointed Sonia sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court

Question 3

Give two examples of a president issuing pardons and commutations to those convicted of federal crimes- President checks on courts

Answer 3

Gerald ford pardoned immediate predecessors, Richard Nixon
Obama issued 330 commutations on final day

Question 4

Give two ways congress can carry out checks on the president

Answer 4

Presedential veto can be overturned by supermajority in both houses
Senate must confirm by a simple majority presedential appointments to administration including judiciary

Question 5

Give an example of congress overturning a presidential veto by supermajority in both houses- congress checks on President

Answer 5

Obamas veto of justice against sponsor of terrorism act, only veto he had overturned

Question 6

Give an example of the senate conforming by simple majority presidential appointments to administration including judiciary- congress checks on President

Answer 6

Senate blocked Obamas appointment of Robert Wilkins to District of Columbia court of appeals

Question 7

Give two ways that congress can carry out checks on the courts?

Answer 7

Congress can impeach judges/ remove them from office
Constitutional amendments can be initiated to overturn Supreme Court verdicts

Question 8

Give an example of congress impeaching a judge/ removing them from office- congress checks on courts

Answer 8

2010, Louisa a federal judge, Thomas Porteous, successfully impeached for corruption

Question 9

Give an example of constitutional amendments being initiated to vergine Supreme Court verdicts- congress checks on courts

Answer 9

1896, court found a national income tax to be unconstitutional. Was reversed by ratification of 13th amendment

Question 10

How can the judiciary carry out checks on the president

Answer 10

Court can rule presedential actions unconstitutional and therefore illegal

Question 11

Give an example of the court ruling presidential actions unconstitutional and therefore illegal- judicial checks on president

Answer 11

Hamden Vs Rumsfeld - court ruled against military commissions by Bush to try suspected Al quads members

Question 12

How can the judiciary carry out checks on congress?

Answer 12

Courts can declare acts of congress unconstitutional and therefore require them to be repealed

Question 13

Give an example of the judiciary declaring acts of congress unconstitutional and therefore required them to be repealed- judicial checks on congress

Answer 13

Defense of marriage act ruled unconstitutional, US vs Windsor, huge part 4 legislation of gay marriage