1. Checks and Balances Game
Chapter 9

2. Directions
On your whiteboard, you will need to identify which branch of government the scenario is referring to (who did it?)
Then you will need to identify which branch can check this and how.

3. Scenario A
The president nominates Honey Boo Boo to be a Supreme Court Justice.

4. Scenario A Answer Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch could check by not approving this appointment

5. Scenario B
A bill recently passed to allow citizens to choose their own health care plan under Medicare.

6. Scenario B Answer Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch (president) could veto the bill

7. Scenario C
The United States has signed a peace treaty with Iran.

8. Scenario C Answer The Executive Branch
The Legislative (Senate) could not approve the treaty (they are supposed to approve before it is signed- if that didn’t happen, the Judicial Branch could say the treaty is unconstitutional)

9. Scenario D
Homeland Security officials have been ordered to open suspicious packages they believe might be from terrorists.

10. Scenario D Answer Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch could call this order unconstitutional (Bill of Rights) OR
Legislative Branch could stop funding this department if it disagreed with policy

11. Scenario E
A bill is passed banning American citizens from making contributions to charitable organizations that have ties to the Middle East.

12. Scenario E Answer Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch (president) could veto OR
The Judicial Branch could declare this law unconstitutional

13. Scenario F
A replacement for the Ambassador to Argentina has been given to Congress.

14. Scenario F Answer Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch could not approve this appointment

15. Scenario G
A Supreme Court justice has committed a murder.

16. Scenario G Answer Judicial Branch
The Legislative Branch can impeach this Justice OR
The Executive Branch gets to appoint the next Justice

17. Scenario H
A recent bill to increase funding for education was passed over the President’s rejection of the bill.

18. Scenario H Answer Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch can declare this law unconstitutional