1. Review from 8th grade

2. To avoid an imbalance of power, the three branches of government “check” on each other and “balance,” or share, the powers of government.
Checks and Balances

3. Executive Branch Checks Legislative Checks Judicial
Can grant pardons (this also checks the Judicial branch)
Can veto bills
Checks Judicial
Appoints federal judges

4. Legislative Branch Checks Executive Checks Judicial
Can impeach federal officials
Can overrule a president’s veto
Can refuse to confirm judicial appointments
Checks Judicial
Rewrites laws to adjust to court rulings

5. Judicial Branch Checks Legislative Checks Executive
Can declare laws unconstitutional
Checks Executive
Judges are free from executive control
Can declare executive actions unconstitutional

6. Three Branches of Government

7. Congress: Makes Laws
House of Representatives: (435 members)
Reps serve a two year term (elected every two years)
Must be 25 years old and have been a citizen for 7 years
Can propose tax laws (revenue bills originate here!)
Can impeach the president

8. Congress: Makes Laws Senate (100 members) Serve a six year term
Must be 30 years old and have been a citizen for 9 years
Approves presidential appointments (cabinet, Supreme Court Justices, federal judges…)
2/3 of Senators must approve of treaties the executive branch makes with foreign countries
Holds the trial for all impeachments

9. Congress: Makes Laws Both houses together can: Propose laws
Declare war
Can override the president’s veto with 2/3 of both houses
Can propose amendments to the constitution with 2/3 of both houses in agreement

10. Executive Branch (Pres., V.P., Cabinet): Enforces Laws
Four year term of office with 2 term limit
Must be 35 years old, a 14-year resident of the US, and native born (born a citizen)
Has power to approve or veto laws
Makes treaties w/ foreign governments
Nominates Supreme Court Judges
Appoints cabinet members
Commander in Chief of US military forces

11. Judicial Branch: Interprets Laws
Judges hold office for life (add: no age or citizen requirements)
Can declare laws unconstitutional
Resolves disputes involving the United States (they hear cases involving The Constitution)
Resolves disputes between two states
Chief Justice presides over a President’s impeachment trial
There are 9 Justices!