Checks and Balances (CE.6b)

According to the illustration, how can the judicial branch check the legislative branch?

• Approve appointments

• Declare laws of congress unconstitutional

• reject appointments

• Declare presidential acts unconstitutional

Which three (3) powers belong in arrow 5.

• approve Supreme court justices

• Appoint cabinet members

• Override a veto

• Impeach the President

• Declare laws unconstitutional

With regard to the US government, what is the meaning of the phrase "checks and balances"?

• The principle that the national government can check the power of the state government and the state governments can limit the exercise of power by the national government.

• The idea that each of the three branches of government can limit the exercise of power by the other 2 branches.

• The idea that each branch of the federal government has the same powers as the other 2 branches.

• The principle that the President must balance the power given to the other two branches.

The Congress makes a law that they believe will help our national defense. The President, however, believes that the law is too much money so he vetoes it. What check does congress have against Presidential vetoes?

• Impeachment

• Judicial Review

• Approve/reject treaties

• Override with 2/3 vote

According to the illustration, what power does the legislative branch have over the courts?

• Veto laws

• Reject appointments

• Declare acts unconstitutional

• Appoint judges

Match the correct "checks" each branch has over the other.

Executive over Judicial: Appoints justices

• True

• False

Match the correct "checks" each branch has over the other.

Judicial over Legislative: Declares laws unconstitutional

• True

• False

Match the correct "checks" each branch has over the other.

Legislative over Executive: Approves treaties

• True

• False

Match the correct "checks" each branch has over the other.

Executive over Legislative: Vetoes Legislation

• True

• False

Which basic principle of the Constitution of the United States prevents any one branch from gaining too much power?

• Checks and balances

• Rule of law

• Representative Government

• Popular sovereignty