The Three Branches of Government Chap 3 Sec

The Three Branches of Government Chap. 3, Sec. 2 • Legislative Branch • Who: Congress House & Senate • Power: Makes laws The Capitol Building • Executive Branch • Who: President directs the federal agencies • Power: Enforces (carries out) the laws • Judicial Branch • Who: Supreme Court & lower courts • Power: Interprets the Constitution and federal laws when there are disputes over meaning White House Supreme Court

Checks & Balances: the 3 branches may restrain each other from becoming too powerful The President (Executive) may: Check Congress by: 1. Vetoing a bill passed by Congress 2. Calling special sessions of Congress Check the Supreme Court by: appointing federal judges

Legislative Action The Congress (Legislative) may: Check the President by: 1) Overriding a veto with a 2/3 vote of the House & Senate 2) Impeaching the President for crimes Check the Supreme Court by: 1) Impeaching judges for crimes 2) Senate must approve the President’s appointments of judges

Judicial Action The Supreme Court (Judiciary) may: Check Congress by: 1) Ruling a law of Congress to be unconstitutional 2) Judges are appointed for life. Check the President Court by: 1) Ruling an action of the President to be unconstitutional 2) Judges are appointed for life.