The Checks and Balances System: A Worksheet - U.S. …



The Checks and Balances System

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  |Branch  |Branch Being Checked |

| 1) Create and pass legislation.  | Legislative Branch |Executive Branch  |

|  |  |  |

|2) Veto bills.  | Executive Branch  | Legislative Branch |

|  |  |  |

|3) Ratify treaties.  |Legislative Branch | Executive Branch  |

|  |  | |

|4) Appoint Federal judges.  | Executive Branch | Judicial Branch |

|  | | |

|5) Impeachment of federal  | Legislative Branch |  |

|officials. | |Executive Branch, |

| | |  |

|6) Confirm presidential appointments. | Legislative Branch |  Judicial Branch, |

| | |Executive Branch |

|7) Declare laws unconstitutional.  | Judicial Branch  | Legislative Branch, |

|  | |Executive Branch  |

|8) Override Presidential Vetoes.  | Legislative Branch | Executive Branch  |

|  | | |

|9) Judges are appointed for life.  |  Judicial Branch | Executive Branch, |

|  | |Legislative Branch |

|10) Controls appropriations of  | Legislative Branch |Executive Branch |

|Money. | |  |

CONCEPT MAP

[pic]

Details:

✓ Each branch has specific powers

✓ Legislative makes laws, controls money, approves appointments and treaties, etc.

✓ Executive enforces laws, makes appointments, vetoes, makes treaties, etc.

✓ Judicial interprets laws, has judicial review, and declares things unconstitutional

Examples/ Impacts: [pic]

Checks and Balances Flow Chart

 

[pic]

Have students write down their answer for the following question:

In your own words, explain what is happening in the diagram. Explain the system of “Checks and Balance.”

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Definition – Checks and Balance:

A system the United States uses to limit the power of each of the 3 branches of government. Each branch has powers that can limit each of the other branches so none gets too powerful.

Term:

Checks and Balances

Congress refuses to confirm the appointment of a new Secretary of Defense. (Legislative checks Executive)

The Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional. (Judicial checks Legislative)

The president vetoes a law Congress has passed. (Executive checks Legislative)

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