Name
THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
le Founding Fathers did not wantall the powers given to the government to
controlled by one man, or even just a few men. They feared if a small group
given too much power, the United States would once again be ruled by a "
government like it had been under England. To avoid such a situalion they divided the new government into three branches: the executive, the
islative and the judicial. The executive branch is headed by the President of
United States who carries out federal laws and recommends new ones,
national defense and foreign policy and performs ceremonial duties.
legislative branch is headed by Congress which consists of the House of
and the Senate. Their main task is to make the laws. The judibranch is headed by the Supreme Court. This branch interprets the laws,
cases in which federal laws apply and settles troubles beiween states.
Constitution built in a "check and balance" system so that no one branch
become too powerful. Each branch is controlled by the other two in sevways. The President may veto a law passed by Congress, but Congress’
override his veto with a two-thirds vote. The Senate must approve any
the President makes and approve many of the appointments he makes.
money the President needs for national defense must come from the Conress. The Supreme Court may check the Congress or the President by declaring a law unconstitutional. And, the Court is appointed by the other two and
be impeached by Congress.
Label the branches of the government above and write in their Constitutional
©19(~2 Instructional Fair, Inc.
69
IF8750 U.S. Government
Name
CHECK AND BALANCE
Fill in the chart below, Use the information from the preceding page.~,~
POWER
Congresspasses a law.
HOW IT CAN BE CHECKED~
The President may
The President may
The Supreme Court may
The President vetoes a law Congress may
passed by Congress.
The President appoints a
Supreme Court judge.
The Senate may
A Supreme Court judge
Congress may
shows misconduct in office.
The President makes a
The Senate may
treaty with another country.
President enforces a law.
The Supreme Courtmay
The President asks for
money for defense.
Congress may
@1992 Instructional Fair, Inc.
70
IF8750 U,S. Government ,
Nmne__
Date
_
Class
-
"
Citizenship Handbook
Checks and Balances
This chart details the system of checks and balances as defined in the Constitution.
Study the chart, then answer the queslions below.
.
EXECUTIVE
BRANCH
(President
carriesoutlaws)
Checks on the Legislative
Branch
~ C~n proposelaws
~ Can veto laws
B Can ca]] special sessions 0f
Congress
Checks on the Judicial Branch
M Appoints federal judges
M Can grant pardons to federal
offenders
~
a Makes appointments
M Negotiates foreign treaties
LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
(Congress
makes laws)
JUDICIAL
BRANCH
(Supre~ne Court
interprets laws)
Checks on the Executive Branch
~= Can overdde President’s veto
a Confirms executive
appointments
~ Ratifies treaties
B can declarewar
[] Appropriates money
== Can impeach and remove
President ,
Checks on the Judicial Branch
Check on the Executive Branch
M Can declare executive actions
unconstitutional
Check on the Legislative Branch
¯ Creates lower federal courts
¯ Can impeach and remove
judges
¯ Can propose amendments to
overrule judicial decisions
¯ Approves appointments of
federal judges
a Can declare acts of Congress
unconstitutional
Which branch of g~vernment appoints federal judges? Which branch must
approve these appointments?
How Can the judicial branch limit the power of the other two branche~?
3. Draw Conclusions B~sed 06 this chart, which branch of government do you think
is the most powerful? Explain yoir answer.
© Pearson Educatioa, Inc., publishing as Pearson Prentice Hal!¯ NI rights resewed:
97
Enrichment Worksheet
Unders~anding Checks and
On @,~ blank~ provided in the following d~agram, writ~ tl~ lettem of the v~ious ~ and balaae~
1L~t~d below, a~ they are applied fyom on~ branch of g~ernm¢nt to another. The In-st one i~ already
fflled in for you as an example.
SEPARATION OF FEDERAL POWER~ ~xampl~s of Checks ar~l B~l~nc~s
LEGISLAT VE BRANCH
JUDICIAL BRANCH
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Checks and Balances
Court justic~
I~ Can veto bil!~
E, Can gram par~oas m-~l
reprieve~ to fed~ral offenders
CHAPTER 8
E Can propose amendment~ to
overrul~ judicial dedsions
G. Can overrule Pr~ident’s veto
H. Can propose hills and call
spedal se~ions of Congress
I. Can appoint Supmn~ Court
j~tic~ and other federal
appointmenta
ENRICHMENT WORKSHEET 32