Checks & Balances Answers to Scenarios

1. Congress passes a law which the President thinks is unconstitutional.

1. Congress passes a law which the President thinks is unconstitutional. LEGISLATIVE: X

LEGISLATIVE: X EXECUTIVE: veto law 1. Congress passes a law which the President thinks is unconstitutional. LEGISLATIVE: X EXECUTIVE: veto law

JUDICIAL: declare law unconst. (Jud. Rev.) 1. Congress passes a law which the President thinks is unconstitutional. LEGISLATIVE: X EXECUTIVE: veto law JUDICIAL: declare law unconst. (Jud. Rev.)

2. The President appoints a federal judge whom he wants to interpret the laws the way he does.

LEGISLATIVE: Senate does not confirm judge. 2. The President appoints a federal judge whom he wants to interpret the laws the way he does. LEGISLATIVE: Senate does not confirm judge.

LEGISLATIVE: Senate does not confirm judge. EXECUTIVE: X 2. The President appoints a federal judge whom he wants to interpret the laws the way he does. LEGISLATIVE: Senate does not confirm judge. EXECUTIVE: X

LEGISLATIVE: Senate does not confirm judge. EXECUTIVE: X 2. The President appoints a federal judge whom he wants to interpret the laws the way he does. LEGISLATIVE: Senate does not confirm judge. EXECUTIVE: X JUDICIAL: free from executive control (appt. for life)

3. The President vetoes a bill he thinks is unconst. Cg 3. The President vetoes a bill he thinks is unconst. Cg. Thinks it should be passed.

LEGISLATIVE: override the veto. 3. The President vetoes a bill he thinks is unconst. Cg. Thinks it should be passed. LEGISLATIVE: override the veto.

LEGISLATIVE: override the veto. EXECUTIVE: X 3. The President vetoes a bill he thinks is unconst. Cg. Thinks it should be passed. LEGISLATIVE: override the veto. EXECUTIVE: X

LEGISLATIVE: override the veto. EXECUTIVE: X JUDICIAL: Jud. Rev. 3. The President vetoes a bill he thinks is unconst. Cg. Thinks it should be passed. LEGISLATIVE: override the veto. EXECUTIVE: X JUDICIAL: Jud. Rev.

4. A lower court sentences a man to serve a 25 year prison term for violating a federal law.

A lower court sentences a man to serve a 25 year prison term for violating a federal law. LEGISLATIVE: Creates lower courts (can also change the law)

A lower court sentences a man to serve a 25 year prison term for violating a federal law. LEGISLATIVE: Creates lower courts (can also change the law) EXECUTIVE: Pardon criminal.

A lower court sentences a man to serve a 25 year prison term for violating a federal law. LEGISLATIVE: Creates lower courts (can also change the law) EXECUTIVE: Pardon criminal. JUDICIAL: X (higher ct. overturn decision)

5. The President makes a treaty that the Senate dislikes.

5. The President makes a treaty that the Senate dislikes. LEGISLATIVE: Senate reject treaty.

5. The President makes a treaty that the Senate dislikes. LEGISLATIVE: Senate reject treaty. EXECUTIVE: X

5. The President makes a treaty that the Senate dislikes. LEGISLATIVE: Senate reject treaty. EXECUTIVE: X JUDICIAL: Jud. Rev.

6. The President recommends a bill for raising taxes, but the House of Representatives doesn’t like it.

LEGISLATIVE: Don’t act on recommendation. 6. The President recommends a bill for raising taxes, but the House of Representatives doesn’t like it. LEGISLATIVE: Don’t act on recommendation.

6. The President recommends a bill for raising taxes, but the House of Representatives doesn’t like it. LEGISLATIVE: Don’t act on recommendation. EXECUTIVE: X

6. The President recommends a bill for raising taxes, but the House of Representatives doesn’t like it. LEGISLATIVE: Don’t act on recommendation. EXECUTIVE: X JUDICIAL: Jud. Rev.

7. The President is accused of treason.

7. The President is accused of treason. LEGISLATIVE: Impeach and try.

7. The President is accused of treason. LEGISLATIVE: Impeach and try. EXECUTIVE: X

7. The President is accused of treason. LEGISLATIVE: Impeach and try. EXECUTIVE: X JUDICIAL: Try in criminal case.

8. A judge is convicted of bribery.

8. A judge is convicted of bribery. LEGISLATIVE: Impeach and try.

8. A judge is convicted of bribery. LEGISLATIVE: Impeach and try. EXECUTIVE: Pardon judge.

8. A judge is convicted of bribery. LEGISLATIVE: Impeach and try. EXECUTIVE: Pardon judge. JUDICIAL: X (try in criminal case)

9. Congress adjourns early so it will not have to consider a bill.

9. Congress adjourns early so it will not have to consider a bill. LEGISLATIVE: X

9. Congress adjourns early so it will not have to consider a bill. LEGISLATIVE: X EXECUTIVE: call special session

9. Congress adjourns early so it will not have to consider a bill. LEGISLATIVE: X EXECUTIVE: call special session JUDICIAL: Jud. Rev.; hold in contempt of court if refuse to follow P’s order.

10. The Supreme Court ruled school prayer to be unconst.

10. The Supreme Court ruled school prayer to be unconst. LEGISLATIVE: propose an amendment

10. The Supreme Court ruled school prayer to be unconst. LEGISLATIVE: propose an amendment EXECUTIVE: enforce “case” law”; P. appts. SCt justices.

10. The Supreme Court ruled school prayer to be unconst. LEGISLATIVE: propose an amendment EXECUTIVE: not enforce JUDICIAL: X