Which of the following is an example of checks and balances? Select all that apply.(2 points)
Responses
The legislative branch can override a veto.
The legislative branch can override a veto.
The judicial branch can veto presidential pardons.
The judicial branch can veto presidential pardons.
The executive branch can declare war.
The executive branch can declare war.
The judicial branch can rule a new law unconstitutional.
The judicial branch can rule a new law unconstitutional.
The executive branch can impeach a Supreme Court Justice.
The legislative branch can override a veto.
The judicial branch can rule a new law unconstitutional.
The correct examples of checks and balances are:
- The legislative branch can override a veto.
- The judicial branch can rule a new law unconstitutional.
To determine which options are examples of checks and balances, we need to understand what checks and balances means. Checks and balances refer to the system in which each branch of government has the power to limit the actions of the other branches, thus preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Let's examine each option to see if it aligns with the concept of checks and balances:
1. The legislative branch can override a veto.
This is an example of checks and balances because the legislative branch (Congress) can override the veto of the executive branch (the President). This power allows Congress to check and balance the President's authority.
2. The judicial branch can veto presidential pardons.
This statement is incorrect. The judicial branch does not have the power to veto presidential pardons. The President has the authority to grant pardons, and there is no mechanism for the judicial branch to veto or overturn that decision.
3. The executive branch can declare war.
This statement is incorrect. The power to declare war resides with the legislative branch (Congress), not the executive branch. The President, as the head of the executive branch, can only deploy the military without a formal declaration of war under certain circumstances defined by Congress.
4. The judicial branch can rule a new law unconstitutional.
This is an example of checks and balances. The judicial branch (specifically, the Supreme Court) has the power of judicial review, which allows it to declare laws passed by the legislative branch unconstitutional if they violate the Constitution. This acts as a check on the legislative branch's actions.
5. The executive branch can impeach a Supreme Court Justice.
This statement is incorrect. The power to impeach federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, lies with the House of Representatives, which is part of the legislative branch. The executive branch is not directly involved in this process.
Based on the above analysis, the examples of checks and balances are:
- The legislative branch can override a veto.
- The judicial branch can rule a new law unconstitutional.