AP Gov Checks and Balances/Separation of Power

AP Gov unit 1

Legislative Branch

• writes laws

• confirms presidential appointments

• ratifies treaties

• grants money

• declares war

Executive Branch

• proposes laws

• administers laws

• commands armed forces

• appoints ambassadors

• conducts foreign policy

• negotiates treaties

Judicial Branch

• interprets the Constitution and other laws

• reviews lower-court decision

Legislative checks executive

• withhold funding for presidential initiatives

Legislative checks executive

• impeach president

Legislative checks executive

• override veto (2/3)

Legislative checks executive

• reject appointments and treaties

Executive checks legislative

• adjourn Congress

• veto bills

Judicial checks executive and legislative

• declare laws unconstitutional

Executive checks judicial

• appoints judges

Legislative checks judicial

• propose constitutional amendments to overrule judicial decisions

Legislative checks judicial

• may impeach Supreme courts

Legislative checks judicial

• reject appointments to Supreme Court