Separation of Powers

Ensures no person or branch of government is too powerful Separation of Powers Distributes power equally among three branches of government Ensures no person or branch of government is too powerful

Powers of the Legislative Branch Created in Article I Congress is the lawmaking branch Made up of 2 houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives Powers of the Legislative Branch Makes the laws Confirms presidential appointments Approves treaties Grants money Declares war

Powers of the Executive Branch Proposes laws Approves or vetoes laws Administers and executes the laws Commands the armed forced Appoints ambassadors, federal judges and others Conducts foreign policy Makes treaties Created in Article II Executes the country’s laws Headed by the President

Powers of the Judicial Branch Created in Article III Interprets laws and punishes lawbreakers Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch Powers of the Judicial Branch Interprets the Constitution and other laws Reviews lower court decisions

Checks and Balances * Each branch has powers that no other branch can have * Each branch has powers that limit the powers of the other two branches * Ensures that no branch becomes too powerful

Legislative Checks Over The Executive branch Overrides vetoes Approves federal judges Over The Judicial branch Approves federal judges Impeaches federal judges

The Legislative branch Executive Checks Over The Legislative branch Vetoes acts of Congress Calls Congress into special session Over The Judicial branch Appoints federal judges House of Reps. Senate

The Legislative branch Judicial Checks Over The Legislative branch Declares laws unconstitutional Over The Executive branch Declares executive acts unconstitutional House of Reps. Senate