1. Checks and Balances

3. Each branch of government has some form of control over or influence on the other two
Judicial Branch
INTERPRETS LAWS
Legislative Branch
MAKES LAWS
Executive Branch
CARRIES OUT LAWS

4. Checks and Balances Congress checks the President Makes laws
Appropriates funding
Coins money
Can override a veto by 2/3 vote
Impeach the President
Senate approves treaties and Presidential appointments for judges
Declares war
Regulates immigration

5. Checks and Balances Congress checks the Supreme Court
Creates lower courts
Impeach federal judges
Senate approves appointment of judges

6. Checks and Balances Supreme Court checks President
Judges are appointed for life
May declare executive actions unconstitutional

7. Checks and Balances Supreme Court checks Congress
May declare acts of Congress (laws) unconstitutional

8. Checks and Balances President checks Congress
May veto legislation (laws)
Call special sessions of Congress
Appeal to the people (through State of the Union Address) to influence legislation

9. Checks and Balances Additional Presidential Powers Carries out Laws
Makes treaties with other nations
Writes the budget
Can “pardon” a felon (excuse them)
Can grant amnesty (same as “pardon” but for a group)
Granted special war-time powers

10. Checks and Balances Scenarios
Identify which branch of government is checking which branch
“The President vetoes a bill passed by Congress”
Executive checks Legislative
“The Supreme Court rules a law passed by Congress is unconstitutional”
Judicial checks legislative

11. Checks and Balances Scenarios
“Congress refuses to confirm the nomination of Bob Dorkmeister to the Supreme Court”
2. “A bill to raise the legal driving age to 18 is vetoed”
3. “U.S. diplomats write a treaty with the government of Iraq, but the U.S. never approves the treaty”