Examples of checks and balances

Answer 1

Executive Branch

1. The President is the commander-in-chief of the army and the navy, but only Congress can declare war.

2. The President nominates judges.

3. The President can veto congressional legislation.

Legislative Branch

Legislative Branch1. Congress approves presidential nominations.

2. Congress controls the budget.

3. Congress can pass laws over the president's veto.

4. Congress can impeach the president and remove him/her from office.

5. The Senate confirms the president's nominations (for judges, etc.).

Judicial Branch

1. The Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

2. The Court declare presidential acts unconstitutional.

Answer 2

The executive branch checks the judicial branch by nominating the members of the supreme court. The executive branch checks the legislative branch with the veto.

The legislative branch checks the judicial branch because it must approve all appointments to the supreme court, and it can vote to impeach justices. The legislative branch checks the executive branch because it can override the president's veto with a 2/3 majority, and it can vote to impeach the president.

The judicial branch checks both the executive and legislative branches with the power of judicial review; it can rule that any action taken by either branch (or anyone else) is unconstitutional.