Which of the following is an example of the principle of checks and balances? (1 po

O Members of Congress have the power to raise their own salaries O Federal courts have the power to hear cases involving federal law.

O Presidents can appoint officers of the armed forces. O Presidents can veto an act of Congress.

The correct answer that demonstrates the principle of checks and balances is:

O Presidents can veto an act of Congress.

To understand why this option is an example of the principle of checks and balances, let's first define what checks and balances mean.

Checks and balances is a fundamental principle of the United States government, designed to ensure that no single branch of the government becomes too powerful. It is a system where each branch of government has powers that can limit the actions of the other branches, thus preventing any one branch from dominating the others.

In this case, the option "Presidents can veto an act of Congress" exemplifies the principle of checks and balances because it represents a way for the executive branch (the President) to exert control over the legislative branch (Congress).

When Congress passes a bill and sends it to the President for approval, the President has the power to veto the bill. By doing so, the President can prevent the bill from becoming law. This power serves as a check on Congress, ensuring that they do not pass laws that the President believes are not in the best interest of the country.

Additionally, Congress does have the ability to override a presidential veto, but it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This further illustrates the system of checks and balances, as it ensures that the President's veto power is not absolute and can be challenged by Congress if they have enough support.

Therefore, the option "Presidents can veto an act of Congress" is an example of the principle of checks and balances in action within the United States government.