Kary Krumdick & Tara Holloway Checks and Balances Kary Krumdick & Tara Holloway

Separation of Powers Powers are divided between the three branches of government When powers are divided, no one person or group can have too much power When powers are divided, no one can take over all of the government

Checks and Balances Each branch can check on the other branch to make sure they are following the rules

Executive Branch Checks on the Legislative Branch Can veto laws passed by the Congress Proposes laws to Congress Submits the Federal Budget to the House of Representatives Appoints federal officials, who carry out and enforce laws

Executive Branch Checks on the Judicial Branch Nominates judges to the Supreme Court Nominates judges to the federal court system has the power to pardon/forgive criminals in prison Can forgive a type of crime altogether

Legislative Branch Checks on the Executive Branch can overturn (throw out) a President veto can reject proposed treaties can reject presidential nominations of federal officials or judges can impeach and remove the President from his position

Legislative Branch Checks on the Judicial Branch can create lower courts can reject nominees to the federal courts/Supreme Court can amend the Constitution to overturn(throw out) decisions of the Supreme Court can impeach judges and remove judges from the bench/work

Judicial Branch Checks on the Executive Branch Can decide if laws are unconstitutional

Judicial Branch Checks on the Legislative Branch Can decide if presidential actions are unconstitutional Can decide if treaties are unconstitutional