1. Checks and Balances
Overarching Question: How does the system of checks and balances limit the powers of the 3 branches?

2. Congress’s (Legislative Branch) checks on the President (Executive Branch)
Approves treaties
Real Example: Treaty of Versailles (WWI)- not approved, BIG CHECK
Real Example #2: North American Free Trade Agreement- Approved
May override a Presidential Veto- need 2/3 in House and Senate
- Real Example: 2007 Congress protecting doctors from a 10.6 percent cut in their reimbursement rates when treating Medicare patients. Override of Bush’s veto (so it passed without Presidential approval
Approve cabinet appointments- About 1,000 of the more than 7,000 presidentially-appointed positions to be filled during any presidential transition process require confirmation by a majority vote of the U.S. Senate
- Example: Secretary of State or Attorney General

3. Congress’s (Legislative Branch) checks on the President (Executive Branch) Continued
Approves of Federal judges
- Intense question and answer sessions between legislators and Supreme Court nominees. Sometimes nominees are not approved
May impeach the President

4. Congress’s (Legislative Branch) checks on the Judicial Branch
May impeach judges
A part of the amendment process. Not a full on check!

5. President’s (Executive Branch) checks on the Congress(Legislative Branch)
Call Congress into a special session
Not enforce laws Congress has passed. Not an official power!!!

6. President’s (Executive Branch) checks on the Judicial Branch
Appoints Federal Judges

7. Judicial Branch’s checks on the Executive Branch
May declare executive acts unconstitutional
May interpret treaties

8. Judicial Branches Checks on Congress (Legislative Branch)
May declare laws unconstitutional
May interpret laws