System of Checks and Balances
In the system of checks and balances the powers of an individual branch also serve as a check (a
way to guarantee a balance of power) on another of the three branches.
Executive Branch
President carries out the
laws
Legislative Branch
(consisting of the House of
Representatives and the Senate)
makes the laws
Judicial Branch
(made up of the Supreme Court,
Lower Courts, Special Courts)
interprets the laws
Checks on the legislative
 Can propose laws
 Can veto laws
 Can call special sessions
of Congress
 Makes federal
appointments
 Negotiates foreign
treaties
Checks on the Executive
 Can override Presidents
veto
 Confirms appointments
made by President
 Ratifies treaties
 Appropriate money(for
Federal projects)
 Can impeach or remove
President
Checks on the Executive
 Can declare the
President’s actions
unconstitutional
Checks on the Judicial
 Appoints federal judges
 Can grant pardons to
Federal offenders
Checks on the Judicial
 Creates lower federal
Courts
 Can impeach or remove
judges
 Can propose
amendments to overrule
judicial decisions
 Approves appointments
of federal judges
Checks on the Legislative
 Can declare acts of
Congress
unconstitutional
The Checks and Balances System:
A Worksheet
Various governmental powers are listed below. Identify the branch doing the checking and the branch being
checked. More than one answer is possible per section.
Power
Which Branch Has
The Power?
Which Branch's
Power is Being
Checked?
(Could be more than one)
1) Create and pass legislation.
2) Veto bills.
3) Ratify treaties.
4) Appoint Federal judges.
5) Impeachment of federal
officials.
6) Confirm the appointment
of presidential appointments.
7) Declare laws
unconstitutional.
8) Override Presidential
Vetoes.
9) Judges are appointed for
life.
10) Controls appropriations of
money.