Understanding Checks and Balances in the U.S. Government

What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances?

• To simplify government processes

• To ensure one branch does not dominate

• To give all power to the president

• To eliminate the judicial branch

What major power does the president have that requires Senate approval?

• Signing treaties

• Declaring war

• Creating new states

• Changing tax laws

What can Congress do if the president vetoes a bill?

• Override the veto with a majority vote

• Request a judicial review

• Pass the bill with a simple majority

• Override the veto with a two-thirds vote

How can Congress bypass the Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional?

• By passing the law again

• By amending the Constitution

• By impeaching Supreme Court Justices

• By ignoring the Supreme Court's decisions

Who has the power to declare war?

• Congress

• The Supreme Court

• The Senate

• The President

What is the ultimate check on government power according to the video?

• The voting public

• Executive orders

• Judicial decisions

• Senate confirmations

Served as a major check on executive power.

• Marbury v Madison

• McCulloch v Maryland

• Baker v Carr

• US v Nixon

Which branch of government can override a veto

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

• Army

Why did Congress pass the War Powers Resolution?

• Congress wanted to expand its power to provide funding to the military.

• Congress wanted to limit the president's power to send US troops into armed conflicts.

• Congress wanted to regain control over its treaty-making powers.

• Congress wanted to give the president the power to make battlefield decisions.

Each branch of the US government has the power to limit the actions of the other branches.

• checks and balances

• rule of law

• representative democracy

• consent of the governed