1. The Three Branches of Government Chap. 3, Sec. 2
Legislative Branch
Who: Congress  House & Senate
Power: Makes laws
Executive Branch
Who: President directs the federal agencies
Power: Enforces (carries out) the laws
Judicial Branch
Who: Supreme Court & lower courts
Power: Interprets the Constitution and federal laws when there are disputes over meaning
The Capitol Building
White House
Supreme Court

2. Checks & Balances: the 3 branches may restrain each other from becoming too powerful
The President (Executive) may:
Check Congress by:
Vetoing a bill passed by Congress
Calling special sessions of Congress
Check the Supreme Court by:
appointing federal judges

3. Legislative Action The Congress (Legislative) may:
Check the President by:
Overriding a veto with a 2/3 vote of the House & Senate
Impeaching and removing the President for crimes
Check the Supreme Court by:
Impeaching and removing judges for crimes
Senate must approve the President’s appointments of judges

4. Judicial Action Check Congress and President by:
The Supreme Court (Judiciary) may:
Check Congress and President by:
Ruling a law of Congress to be unconstitutional
Judges are appointed for life…