Checks and Balances

Why were checks and balances necessary?

• Prevent any branch from becoming more powerful than the others
• Prevent the judicial branch from becoming more powerful than the executive
• Prevent the executive from being more powerful than the judicial
• Prevent the legislature from controlling the judical and the executive branches

How does the executive branch check on the Judicial branch?

• The Supreme Court has the power of Judicial Review
• The president can appoint justices when there is vacancy on the Supreme Court
• The senate can confirm a judicial nominee
• The House of Representatives can confirm a judicial nominee

How does the legislative branch check the power of the executive branch?

• Bills can be vetoed by all the branches
• President can override a Congressional bill
• Legislative branch can override a presidential veto
• Supreme Court can veto a decision made by Congress

Who has the unique power to veto a bill?

• Senate
• House of Representatives
• President
• Supreme Court

Who has the power to conduct Judicial Review?

• President
• Senate
• House of Representatives
• Supreme Court

What measure of votes are required to override a veto?

• 2/3
• 3/4
• Majority
• Unanimous 

How is the Senate different from the House?

• Senate provides equality for each state while the House is based on population
• House provides equality for each state while the Senate is based on population

How is Congress constructed with Checks and Balances?

• Only one house must approve a bill so it doesn't matter which house passes a bill
• Small states have an equal say in the Sentate to protect against large states controlling Congress

Which of the other seven principles is closely tied to Checks and Balances?

• Individual Rights
• Separation of Powers
• Republicanism
• Popular Sovereignty

Who has the power to declare war?

• The President
• The States
• Congress
• Supreme Court must rule the war justified