Checks and Balances

Each branch of government is balanced by power of the other branches.

• Federal System

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Checks and Balances

_________ is the system in which the power of each branch of government is balanced by the powers of other branches

• Executive Branch

• Judges in the Judicial Branch

• Checking Account

• Checks and Balances

The constitution carefully limits the power of each branch of government by setting up __________________.

• The Legislative Branch

• The House of Representatives

• Checks and Balances

How does the Judicial Branch check on the Executive Branch?

• The Judicial Branch can veto bills/laws Congress creates.

• The Judicial Branch can declare a president’s actions unconstitutional.

• The Judicial Branch approves judges and justices.

How does the Judicial Branch check on the Legislative Branch?

• The Judicial Branch can declare laws created by the Legislative Branch unconstitutional.

• The Judicial Branch approves judges and justices.

• The Judicial Branch can impeach the president.

How does the Executive Branch check on the Judicial Branch?

• The Executive Branch can declare the president’s actions unconstitutional.

• The Executive Branch chooses who will serve as a judge/justice on the Supreme Court.

• The Executive Branch can impeach the president.

How does the Executive Branch check on the Legislative Branch?

• The Executive Branch can declare laws created by Congress unconstitutional.

• The Executive Branch can approve judges for the Supreme Court.

• The Executive Branch can veto bills/laws written by Congress.

How does the Legislative Branch check on the Judicial Branch?

• The Legislative Branch can impeach Supreme Court justices.

• The Legislative Branch can declare laws created by Congress unconstitutional.

• The Legislative Branch can make sure laws created by Congress are fair.

How does the Legislative Branch check on the Executive Branch?

• The Legislative Branch can veto bills/laws created by Congress.

• The Legislative Branch can choose who will serve as a judge/justice on the Supreme Court.

• The Legislative Branch can impeach the president and it can also override a presidential veto.

Define "checks and balances"

• the ability of each branch to limit the actions of each other branch

• when you write a check that balances with your budget

• when all the checks are balanced on both sides of the scale

• you get a check and I get the balance