What are the checks and balances? (In our government)

This site has an excellent diagram that explains and illustrates our checks and balances.

http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Lesson_13_Notes.htm

Thank you so much. That should help a lot.

Checks and balances are an important feature of the United States government system, designed to prevent the abuse of power and ensure a system of separation of powers. They refer to the various ways that the three branches of government — the executive, legislative, and judicial branches — can limit each other's authority. Here's how the checks and balances work:

1. Executive Branch:
- The president can veto laws passed by Congress.
- The president can appoint judges and executive officials, but these appointments need confirmation from the Senate.

2. Legislative Branch (Congress):
- Congress can override a president's veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- Congress can impeach and remove the president, federal judges, and other government officials.

3. Judicial Branch (Supreme Court):
- The Supreme Court can declare laws passed by Congress and actions taken by the president as unconstitutional.
- The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, meaning it can interpret the constitutionality of legislation and executive actions.

To understand the checks and balances in our government, it is important to study the U.S. Constitution and its amendments. It outlines the powers and limitations of each branch and establishes the framework for their interaction. Additionally, studying landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped the interpretation of the Constitution can give further insight into how checks and balances are applied in practice.