The Constitution Three Branches of Government and Checks

The Constitution Three Branches of Government and Checks and Balances

3 Branches of Government

Three Branches of Government Legislative Article I of the Constitution Responsibilities • Writes, debates and passes bills into law • Amends the Constitution • Controls the budget – taxing and spending • Regulates domestic and international commerce • Supports the Military • Declares war Executive Judicial Article II of the Constitution Article III of the Constitution Responsibilities: • Enforces laws • Appoints cabinet members, judges, and ambassadors • Makes treaties Responsibilities: • Decides cases of constitutionality in the Supreme Court

Three Branches of Government Legislative Checks on Other Branches Executive Branch • Confirms or rejects Presidential appointees (cabinet, Ambassadors) • Overrides presidential veto (2/3 majority) • Ratifies treaties • Can impeach federal officials including the president Judicial Branch • Can impeach judges • Confirms or rejects judicial appointees • Establishes courts and number of judges Executive Checks on Other Branches Legislative Branch • Signs bills into law or vetoes them or can do nothing with them • Call Special Sessions of Congress • Commander-in-Chief of the Military Judicial Branch • Grants pardons, reprieves and commutes sentences • Appoints judges Judicial Checks on Other Branches Legislative Branch • Interprets laws for constitutionality • Judges appointed for life Executive Branch • Interprets Presidential actions for constitutionality • Judges appointed for life

1. Congress passes a law requiring that all television programming be approved by the government 2. The president vetos a law 3. The president orders that the headquarters of the opposite party be wire tapped