Checks and Balances

If Congress passes a law, the president can...

• override the veto with a 2/3 vote

• impeach

• sign or veto

• declare the law unconstitutional

If the president vetoes a law, then Congress can...

• declare the law constitutional or unconstitutional

• override the veto with a 2/3 vote

• impeach

• pardon

If the president signs a law, then the Supreme Court can...

• veto the law

• pardon the law

• impeach the law

• declare the law constitutional or unconstitutional

If there is an opening on the Supreme Court, the president can...

• veto the judge

• approve/reject the justice

• choose a new justice

• declare the law constitutional or unconstitutional.

After the President has chosen a new justice for the Supreme Court, then...

• Congress vote to override the veto with a 2/3 vote

• declare the president's act unconstitutional

• Congress can pardon the president

• the Senate votes to approve or reject the justice

If a law violates the U.S. Constitution, then the...

• Congress can approve or reject the treaty

• Congress can declare war

• Supreme Court can declare that law unconstitutional

• President can enforce that law

If the President violates the U.S. Constituiton (minor issue), then...

• the Supreme Court can declare his actions unconstitutional

• Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote

• Congress can declare war

• Senate can approve or reject the president.

If the President commits an illegal act then...

• Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote

• Congress can declare war

• Congress can impeach the President

• Congress can approve or reject the treaty

If someone has committed a crime, then the President can...

• veto the law

• sign the law

• pardon them

• declare his actions unconstitutional

If the President picks a new ambassador, then...

• signs or vetoes the nomination

• the Senate approves or rejects them

• impeaches the ambassador

• overrides the veto with a 2/3 vote