Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Use the following factoids to complete the above chart. Place the item under
the appropriate heading. Mark through each one as you place it above. NO
Shortcuts.
President Confirms judges and other appointments by President
House of Representatives
Vice-President
Congress
Senate
Controls Federal government finances Proposes laws
Decides constitutionality of laws
Appoints judges or other officials
Makes laws Makes laws by court decisions
Can veto laws
Supreme Commander of the Military Supreme Court
Can impeach President or Judges Appointed for life
Can declare war Limited to terms of six or two years
Term of four years Elected by the people
Can override vetoes Approve
treaties Elected by the people and Electoral College
Cabinet Interprets
laws
Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices Senators Representatives
Carries out laws Federal Courts
Branches of Government Worksheet
Name: _______________
Read each of the following phrases and decide which branch of the national government is described. Write L
for legislative, E for executive, or J for judicial in the blank at right.
1. includes the Supreme Court and other national courts
2. sees that laws are carried out
3. has members elected by voters within each state
4. is headed by the President
5. settles disagreements about the meaning and use of national laws
6. makes laws for the nation
7. is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives
8. has judges chosen by the President
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The diagram below shows the system of checks and balances in our national government. Use the diagram to
complete the questions below.
9. According to the diagram, does each branch of government check the power of the other two branches?
______________
10. Which branch of government has its power checked by the President’s power to veto laws? ____________
11. Which branch of government has its power checked by the power of Congress to approve or disapprove
agreements with other countries? _______________
12. Which branch of government has its power checked by the power of Congress to approve or disapprove its
membership? ______________
Can gain support to
help pass laws
Can veto laws passed
by Congress
Can pass laws
over the
President’s veto
Can approve or
disapprove
agreements with
other countries
Can approve or
disapprove
choices of judges
LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
Can remove
judges from
office
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Can choose judges
Can pardon people
convicted of crimes
JUDICIAL
BRANCH
Can rule that
laws do not
agree with
the
Constitution
Can rule that the
President’s actions do
not agree with the
Constitution
Can decide on the
meaning of laws