How the legislative, executive, and judicial branches check and balance each other's power. Front: the check or balance scenario. Back: which branch acts and why.
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- What body must confirm a President's cabinet appointments?
- The Senate (Legislative branch checks Executive appointments)
- What can the Senate do if it does not approve a treaty the President signed?
- Refuse to ratify it (treaties require Senate ratification to be binding)
- What power does Congress have when the President vetoes a bill?
- Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers
- How can Congress remove a sitting President from office?
- The House impeaches and the Senate holds a trial and votes to convict (two-thirds majority required)
- Why does the Executive branch need Congressional approval to spend federal money?
- Congress controls the power of the purse through appropriations bills
- Who has the constitutional power to declare war?
- Only Congress (the President is Commander in Chief but cannot declare war)
- What federal judges must the Senate confirm?
- All federal judges, including Supreme Court justices
- What power does Congress have over the size of the Supreme Court?
- Congress determines how many justices serve (currently nine)
- How can Congress overturn a Supreme Court decision about the Constitution?
- Congress can propose a constitutional amendment (requires ratification by three-fourths of states)
- What power does Congress have to remove a federal judge from office?
- Congress can impeach a judge (House) and convict (Senate with two-thirds majority)
- Which branch creates the structure of the federal court system?
- Congress establishes federal courts under Article III of the Constitution
- What is a presidential veto?
- The President's power to reject a bill and prevent it from becoming law
- Who nominates candidates for the Supreme Court and federal judgeships?
- The President nominates them (the Senate must confirm them)
- What does a presidential pardon do?
- It reverses a conviction or removes punishment for a federal crime
- What power do courts have over laws passed by Congress?
- Courts can declare laws unconstitutional and strike them down (judicial review)