Checks and Balances

Question 1

The Legislative Branch (Congress)

Answer 1

Contains the US Senate and House of Representatives.

•Article 1, lawmaking branch – legislate, deliberate, debate, compromise, right laws.

Question 2

The Executive Branch

Answer 2

President and all government bureaucracies.

•Article 2, law enforcing branch – executes, administrators, regulates laws, rights rules and regulations.

Question 3

The Judicial Branch

Answer 3

The Supreme Court and other Federal District and Appellate Courts. 9 justices. Federal Appellate Courts-13 Districts, Federal District Courts-94 Districts
•Article 3, law interpreting branch – adjudicates, judges the law through lawsuits

Question 4

Checks and Balances

Answer 4

• Constitutional requirements and powers that each branch has. Gives each branch some power over the other branches
• Each branch can stop, approve/confirm, or investigate the other two branches.

Question 5

Congress (Legislative Branch) Main Powers

Answer 5

• May propose a constitutional amendments with a 2/3 vote
• House of Representatives can propose new taxes/revenue
• Power to make laws based on enumerated and implied powers

Question 6

Congress (Legislative Branch) Powers over the Executive Branch

Answer 6

• Congress can investigate the executive branch
• Senate can confirm/approved foreign treaties with a 2/3 vote
• Congress can officially declare war with a majority vote once requested by the president
• Senate confirms/approves executive appointments

Question 7

Congress (Legislative Branch) Powers over the Judicial Branch

Answer 7

• Congress cannot create or Federal courts
• Can impeach government officials in two steps (remove any appointed, high-ranking official): House of representatives investigate and indicts >Senate holds a trial >requires a 2/3 guilty vote

Question 8

Executive Branch Main Powers

Answer 8

– Only the president can ask Congress to declare War
– President nominates the highest level of Cabinet Officers and Ambassadors in Federal government> requires Senate approval
– Executive branch enforces, administers and executes all federal government laws. Have rule making/regulatory power.
– President manages the branch and writes executive orders, prepares and overseas federal budget, writes foreign treaties (approved by senate), is Commander in Chief over military. Appoints all officers (no check)

Question 9

Executive Branch Powers over the Legislative Branch

Answer 9

– Can approve and sign passed legislation into law or veto/reject it
– Can recommend legislation to Congress through the State of the Union address

Question 10

Executive Branch Power over the Judicial Branch

Answer 10

– President nominates all Federal Judges, including Supreme Court nominees> requires Senate approval.
– Grant pardons, reprieves, or amnesty

Question 11

Judicial French Main Powers

Answer 11

– Judges receive lifelong appointments based on good behavior
– Interprets or adjudicates Federal and State laws through cases/lawsuits using Original Jurisdiction (high profile case) and Appellate Jurisdiction (cases with federal question)

Question 12

Judicial Branch Power over the Legislative Branch

Answer 12

– According to Judicial Review- interpret any law and declare it unconstitutional or re-interpret the law
– Has the final authority on the US Constitution

Question 13

Judicial Branch Power over the Executive Branch

Answer 13

– According to Judicial Review, the supreme court can review any executive or bureaucratic action and declare it unconstitutional
– Can issue injunctions (court orders enforced by the executive branch)