Checks and Balances Reading
The writers of the Constitution were very concerned that one part of the
government could not have too much power. This is why the Constitution
establishes the principles of Federalism and Separation of Powers.
Another principle of the Constitution to regulate powers is Checks and Balances
which is a system that limits and balances the power of each branch of the
government.
Checks and Balances gives the Legislative Branch power to restrict the Executive
and Judicial branches and vice versa. . .
 can impeach and remove the
president
Legislative Checks on Executive
 can override veto
 confirms executive appointments
 ratifies treaties
 can impeach and remove judges
Legislative Checks on Judicial
 can refuse to confirm judicial
appointments
 can veto acts of Congress
Executive Checks on Legislative
 suggesting laws
 appoints federal judges
Executive Checks on Judicial
Judicial Checks on Legislative
Judicial Checks on Executive
 can grant pardons
 Judicial review – can declare acts of
Congress unconstitutional
 judges are appointed for life
 judicial review – can declare
executive acts unconstitutional
Taken and adapted from:
Dallek, Robert, Jesus Garcia, Donna Ogle, and C. Frederick Risinger. American History. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2008. Print
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