The American government has no all-powerful king or queen. The laws are made by elected leaders who are separate from those carrying out and evaluating the laws. This system of government is made possible by a system of checks and balances that reinforce the separation of powers in the United States. In this summary, we examine the history, facts, examples in our government, and the language of the Constitution.
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Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenThe American government has no all-powerful king or queen. The laws are made by elected leaders who are separate from those carrying out and evaluating the laws. This system of government is made possible by a system of checks and balances that reinforce the separation of powers in the United States. In this summary, we examine the history, facts, examples in our government, and the language of the Constitution.
Due to the separation of powers in the U.S. federal government, each of the three branches has the ability to prevent the abuse of power by the other two.
This principle is based on the belief that the ability to regulate other federal branches is enabled through a separation of powers. Typically found in governments established under a constitution, institutions are designed with separate functions and roles. In the United States, a three-branch federal government allocates:
⇶ Legislative powers to the U.S. Congress (U.S. House of Representatives and Senate)
⇶ Executive powers to the President (and Cabinet)
⇶ Judicial powers to the Supreme Court (and federal courts)
Early influences on the planning of America's new government included Polybius, Charles Montesquieu, William Blackstone, and John Locke. Montesquieu, the French political philosopher, maintained that in order to prevent the abuse of power, "power checks power.” The concept of defined authority to purposefully maintain liberty and guard against tyranny helped frame the U.S. system.
The founding debate over the size and power of the federal government resulted in a compromise between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists were in favor of a strong central government whereas the Anti-Federalists advocated for a minimal central government with most power concentrated at the state level.
In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty is this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.”James Madison - Federalist Papers
The result was sharing of powers between the states and national government with a clear division of power between three federal branches. A national executive elected indirectly by the citizens through the Electoral College held military, treaty-making, judicial nomination, and legislative approval (or veto) powers.
The Electoral College was established in the U.S. Constitution. Technically, it is comprised of electors equal to each state's representation in Congress. The District of Columbia also has three electors. The votes of American citizens are cast to electors, who are expected to represent that vote within their state in federal elections for President and Vice-President.
In order to prevent an all-powerful chief executive, the legislative branch was granted the powers of impeachment and veto override in addition to the approval of judicial appointments. Finally, the judicial branch was given the power to weigh in on federal and interstate legal disputes with the power of judicial review established later by court precedent in Marbury v. Madison.
Legislative Branch | Executive Branch | Judicial Branch |
Approves judges | Nominates judges | Serves for life (Supreme Court) |
Impeachment and trial of top officials | Can issue pardons | Presides over impeachment trials |
Make laws | Approves or vetoes laws / carry out laws | Determines constitutionality of laws |
Senate ratifies international treaties | Negotiates international treaties | Judicial review of treaties and laws |
Declares war, funds military | Organizes and leads armed forces | Can declare actions unconstitutional |
Presidential Veto and Congressional Override
In order to turn a bill into law, Congress and the President must agree. The balance of power is maintained through negotiations, and the usage (or threat) of a veto, as well as the Congressional override. Any bill sent to the President and unsigned after ten days of Congressional session automatically becomes a law.
An interesting dynamic in federal legislation can occur when disagreement exists between the legislative and executive branches. When the President does not support a bill or resolution, the typical action is to send it back to Congress with an explanation. This direct veto could turn into a "pocket veto" if the President does not sign the legislation in the standard 10- day review period and Congress adjourns the legislative session. In this case, the bill does not become a law.
While the pocket veto is rarely used, a more common tactic is to threaten a veto. Congress can counter with an override, although doing so required a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress. Achieving a majority consensus of this proportion is challenging in most political climates and on a broad range of issues.
The U.S. Constitution undeniably outlines the different roles and responsibilities of each of the three branches of government at the federal level. The following are some examples of specific roles and abilities of each branch.
The Congress v. the President: Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it.” – Article 1, Section 7 U.S. Constitution.
Constitutional Amendments and Checks and Balances
Since the writing of the Constitution, 27 amendments have altered the structure of the U.S. government. Multiple amendments have changed the power relationship between branches of government and yielded more power to citizens and the states.
The presidential veto and congressional override are prime examples of checks and balances between the legislative and executive branches.
Checks and balances are essential to ensure no branch of the federal government becomes too powerful or violates their oath.
First; there are two parts of the legislative branch; the House and Senate creating a division of power.
Second; the executive branch can check the power of the legislature with veto power.
Finally; the judicial branch can determine whether legislation is unconstitutional.
A feature of government where branches of government can limit the powers of other branches.
The Constitution lists the mechanisms to check power between the three branches of the federal government.
The system of checks and balances allows for greater accountability to the citizens and helps protects liberty.
True
The __________ ________ designed these mechanisms (checks and balances) within the Constitution to protect against tyranny and the consolidation of power within the federal government.
Founding Fathers (framers)
Each of the four branches has the authority to keep the powers of the other branches restrained according to the Constitution.
False
Supreme Court decisions and _______ _________ are ways checks and balances can be changed.
constitutional amendments
"The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." This check on executive power is used by which group?
Congress
According to the Constitution, who is charged with casting a tiebreaker vote if the Senate is equally divided?
The President
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