Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

SOL Review: Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances

Separation of Powers

• The powers of the government are separated among the three branches of government.

• Goal is to limit any one branch from abusing its power.

Legislative Branch

• Congress (bicameral): House of Represents (435 members) & Senate (100 members)

• Makes the laws of the nation

Legislative Branch

• Approves the annual budget

• Confirms presidential appointments

• Raises revenue through taxes

• Regulates interstate and foreign trade

• Declares war

Executive Branch

• Headed by the president (chief executive of the nation)

• Executes the laws of the land

Executive Branch

• Prepares the annual budget for congressional action

• Appoints cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges

• Oversees executive agencies and departments

Judicial Branch

• Consists of federal courts

• Including the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land

Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court exercises power of judicial review

• Federal courts try cases involving federal law

• Federal courts rule on cases involving questions about the interpretation of the Constitution

Multiple Choice

Which branch makes the laws?

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a power of the legislative branch?

• Declares war

• Regulates interstate & foreign commerce

• Confirms presidential appointments

• Oversees executive agencies

• Raises revenue through taxes

Multiple Choice

Which branch consists of the federal courts?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

Multiple Choice

What does the Executive Branch do?

• Makes the laws of the nation

• Executes the laws of the nation

• Tries cases involving federal law

• Interprets the Constitution

Multiple Choice

What position heads the national executive branch?

• Supreme Court

• Senate

• President

• Governor

Multiple Choice

Which branch has the power of judicial review & interprets the Constitution?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

Checks & Balances

• Each of the three branches of the national government limits the exercise of power by the other two branches

Legislative Branch checks on President

• Override presidential vetoes

• Impeach and convict a president

• Approve the budget

• Approve presidential appointments

Legislative Branch checks on courts

• Confirm or refuse to confirm federal judges

• Impeach and convict judges/justices

Multiple Select

Select ALL of the following "checks" Congress has on the President.

• Override presidential vetoes

• Impeach a president

• Approve presidential appointments

• Grant pardons & reprieves

• Approve the annual budget

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a "check" the Legislative Branch has on the Judicial Branch?

• Confirm (or refuse to confirm) federal judges

• Impeach and convict judges

• Override presidential vetoes

Executive checks on Legislative Branch

• Proposes legislation

• Prepares an annual budget for Congress to approve

• Call special sessions of Congress

• Vetoes legislation Congress has passed

Executive checks on Judicial Branch

• Appoints judges

• Grants pardons and reprieves

Multiple Select

Select ALL of the following "checks" the President has on Congress.

• Vetoes legislation Congress has passed

• Proposes legislation

• Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

• Prepares an annual budget for Congress to approve

• Call special session of Congress

Multiple Choice

How can the president "check" the courts?

• Grant pardons and reprieves

• Veto legislation

• Impeach judges

• Override vetoes

Judicial Branch Checks

• Declare acts of Congress to be unconstitutional

• Declare executive actions to be unconstitutional