Understanding the US Constitution: Checks and Balances

Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for making laws?

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

What can the President do if he/she does not agree with a bill passed by Congress?

• Sign it into law anyway

• Request a public vote

• Veto the bill

How can Congress override a Presidential veto?

• By a simple majority vote in both the House and Senate

• By a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate

• By a three-fourths majority vote in both the House and Senate

Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting the laws?

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

How can the Judicial branch check the powers of the Legislative branch?

• By vetoing laws

• By declaring laws unconstitutional

• By passing new laws

What role does the Senate play in the appointment of Supreme Court Justices?

• The Senate nominates Supreme Court Justices

• The Senate votes to confirm or reject Supreme Court Justice nominations

• The Senate has no role in the appointment of Supreme Court Justices

How can the Executive branch check the power of the Judicial branch?

• By declaring judicial rulings unconstitutional

• By refusing to enforce judicial rulings

• By appointing judges to the federal courts

Which of the following is a way that the Legislative branch can check the power of the Executive branch?

• By issuing executive orders

• By impeaching the President

• By declaring war without the President's consent

What must happen for an amendment to the Constitution to be ratified?

• Approval by a simple majority in Congress

• Approval by a two-thirds majority in Congress and three-fourths of state legislatures

• Approval by the President

Which branch of government has the power to declare war?

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial