Checks and Balances

1. Checks and Balances Foundations of America

2. Dividing the Federal Government • The Founding Fathers believed that the only way to keep the Federal Government from gaining too much power was to divide it into three parts: • The Legislature – Makes Laws • The Executive – Enforces Laws • The Judicial – Interprets Laws

3. What are Checks and Balances? • Checks and Balances were built into the Constitution to ensure that no one branch of government ever became too powerful. • It gives each branch of government some power over the others

4. Legislative vs. Executive • Congress can pass new bills • President must approve or veto these bills • Congress can override presidential vetoes with a 2/3 majority vote • The Senate must approve all appointments and treaties • President can make treaties and appoint Supreme Court Justices • Congress can impeach and remove president from office John Roberts (Chief Justice)

5. Legislative vs. Judicial • The Senate must approve Supreme Court nominations • The Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional • Congress can impeach and remove federal judges

6. Executive vs. Judicial • The President appoints all Supreme Court Justices • The Supreme Court can declare any executive acts unconstitutional • Newest Supreme Court Justice: ElanaKagan