Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches - Key Terms

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key powers, roles, and interactions of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches as reflected in the notes.

Override veto

A congressional power to defeat a presidential veto by achieving a two-thirds vote in both houses.

Power of the purse

Congress's constitutional authority to control government spending and taxation.

Senate approves treaties

Senate's authority to ratify international treaties negotiated by the President.

Senate approves appointments

Senate's authority to confirm or reject presidential nominees for federal offices, including judges and top officials.

Impeachment

The process by which Congress charges a President or other civil officers with misconduct; the House impeaches and the Senate tries; removal occurs upon conviction.

Convene Congress (call special session)

The President's power to summon Congress for a special session when necessary.

Appoints federal judges

The President nominates individuals to serve as federal judges; appointments require Senate confirmation.

Pardon

The President's power to forgive or excuse individuals convicted of federal crimes.

Judicial review

The power of courts to review laws and executive actions for constitutionality.

Judges not subject to removal by the President

Judges can only be removed through impeachment by Congress.

Congress can impeach and remove federal judges

Congress has authority to impeach and remove federal judges for misconduct.

Propose constitutional amendments

Congress can propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Executive Branch

The branch led by the President that enforces laws, conducts foreign policy, and includes powers like veto and appointment.

Legislative Branch

The branch of Congress that makes laws, controls spending (power of the purse), and has impeachment powers.

Judicial Branch

The branch of courts that interprets and applies laws; includes the Supreme Court and lower courts; judges can be impeached.