Checks and Balances & Bureaucracy

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering the system of checks and balances among the three branches of U.S. government and key concepts related to bureaucratic discretion and rulemaking.

The House of Representatives has the power to __ the president.

Impeach (accuse)

The Senate acts as the __ in presidential impeachment trials.

Jury (convicts or acquits)

Treaties negotiated by the president must be ratified by a __ vote in the Senate.

Two-thirds majority

A simple __ vote in the Senate is required to approve presidential appointments.

Majority

Congress can __ or increase the budget proposed by the president.

Reduce (cut)

Congress can change the __ and jurisdiction of federal courts.

Number (and scope)

Congress can change the number of justices on the .

Supreme Court

Congress can initiate a __ amendment to override judicial or executive actions.

Constitutional

The president can __ a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law.

Veto

A president may issue __ orders to direct the bureaucracy without congressional approval.

Executive

Appealing directly to the public to pressure Congress is known as the .

Bully pulpit

The president’s power to free someone from punishment is called the __ power.

Pardon

The president can decide not to __ a law or court decision, limiting its effect.

Enforce

The judicial branch exercises to declare laws or executive acts unconstitutional.

Judicial review

Agencies use , the authority granted by Congress to decide how to implement laws.

Bureaucratic discretion

When agencies issue regulations that carry the force of law, they are engaging in .

Bureaucratic rulemaking