information on checks and balances for president, congress, supreme court\
examples for each
http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_checksandbalances.htm
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/checks_balances.htm
but those tell me about judicial, legislative, and executive.
not inoformation on the checks and branches for presidents
The President is head of the executive branch. Congress makes up the legislative branch.
The President nominates the judges, but Congress must approve these judges.
Checks and balances are a fundamental principle in the U.S. system of government, designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Let's look at the checks and balances for the three branches of the U.S. government: the president, the Congress, and the Supreme Court.
1. President:
The president has several checks and balances to ensure their power is limited and balanced.
- Veto Power: The president can veto bills passed by Congress. If the president disagrees with a proposed law, they can send it back to Congress, requiring a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to override the veto.
- Executive Orders: Although the president has the power to issue executive orders, these orders can be challenged and declared unconstitutional by the other branches. Additionally, Congress can pass legislation to nullify an executive order.
- Appointments: While the president has the authority to nominate judges, cabinet members, and other officials, these appointments require confirmation by the Senate. If the Senate rejects a nomination, the president must choose another candidate.
2. Congress:
Congress also has checks and balances to keep its power in check.
- Legislative Oversight: Congress has the power to oversee and investigate the actions of the executive branch, including holding hearings and requesting information. This allows Congress to influence and monitor the president's activities.
- Impeachment: Congress can initiate impeachment proceedings against the president, vice president, or other federal officials. If impeached, the president is tried in the Senate, and if convicted, they can be removed from office.
- Legislation: Congress has the power to pass laws which can restrict or modify the actions of the president. This includes controlling the budget, as all spending bills must come from Congress.
3. Supreme Court:
The Supreme Court also has its own checks and balances to maintain its independence and limit its power.
- Judicial Review: The Supreme Court can review the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress and actions taken by the president. If a law or action is deemed unconstitutional, the Supreme Court can strike it down.
- Lifetime Appointment: Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. This independence from political pressure allows them to make decisions based on the Constitution, rather than popular opinion or political bias.
- Confirmation Process: To become a Supreme Court justice, a candidate must be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. This confirmation process acts as a check on potential nominees, allowing the Senate to reject candidates they deem unfit for the position.
These are just a few examples of the checks and balances that exist between the three branches of the U.S. government. These mechanisms ensure that power is shared and balanced to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant.