Separation of Powers and Checks and Balance

What is the separation of powers

the separation of the three branches of government

The government is divided between which three branches

the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

What is the job of the legislative branch

to create laws

What is the job of the executive branch

execute or enforce the laws

What is the job of the judicial branch

to interepret the law and explain what it means

What is checks and balances

each branch has the power to limit/check the other two which creates a balance between the powers

What ways does the legislative branch limit the executive branch

• house of representatives can impeach the president

• senate can remove president from office if 2/3 of them vote for it

• senate can check the presidents appointment of judges and officials by rejecting them

• investigate executive activities and officers

• if the president vetoes a law congress can override it with 2/3 vote

• congress can refuse to pass laws that executive wants

• congress cab refuse to appropriate funds for executive programs

What ways does the legislative branch limit the judicial branch

• congress can impeach and remove judges

• senate can reject judicial nominees

• congress can change the federal court system by adding or taking away courts

• congress can change the jurisdiction of federal courts

• congress can make new laws that override supreme court decisions

• congress can propose amendments to the constitution

What ways does the executive branch limit the legislative branch

• the president can veto congress’ laws

• the president can call congress into a special session but can’t make them pass new laws

• the vice president is given the power to break ties with the senate

What ways does the executive branch limit the judicial branch

• the president nominates supreme court justices and federal court judges

• the president can pardon people convicted by the courts

• the president can refuse to carry out court decisions

What ways does the judicial branch limit the legislative branch

• declares its laws unconstitutional

• the chief justice presided over impeachment trials

What ways does the judicial branch limit the executive branch

• declaring executive actions unconstitutional

• issues warrants in federal crime cases

• presides over impeachment trials in the senate

• invalidates laws and executive actions

Who makes up the legislative branch

congress- house of representatives and senate

who makes up the executive branch

president

who makes up the judicial branch

supreme court