Three Branches of government

Checks and Balances

A system where each government branch has powers that keep any other branch from having too much control.

Other powers of the executive branch

Appoints cabinet officials as counselors, makes treaties with other nations

Economic powers of the legislative branch

Approves budget, oversees interstate commerce, controls federal taxes and spending

Wartime powers of the executive branch

Commander-in-Chief

Other powers of the legislative branch

Confirm presidential appointments, impeach federal officers

Judicial powers of the judicial branch

Decides arguments about meanings of laws, decides if a law violates the Constitution.

Wartime powers of the legislative branch

Declare war, raise military forces

Constitution

Document that explains how a government is organized, how it works and the basic laws of the land.

Judicial powers of the executive branch

Enforces laws, can veto laws, selects supreme court justices

Supreme Court

Made up of nine appointed justices who have a life-time appointment.

Other powers of the judicial branch

Makes decisions in disagreements among branches of the federal government.

Legislative Branch

One of the three branches of government divided between the senate and the house of representatives.

Judicial branch

One of the three branches of government, headed by the chief justice of the supreme court.

Executive Branch

One of the three branches of government, headed by the president.

House of Representatives

Part of the legislative branch, made up of a number of elected representatives from each state based on population.

Senate

Part of the legislative branch, made up of two elected senators from each state.

Judicial Review

Power of the Supreme Court to determine if the executive and legislative branches are following the Constitution.

Economic powers of the executive branch

Suggest plan for federal budget

Separation of powers

The powers in the US government are divided up between three branches: executive, legislative & judicial.

Bicameral

Two houses - refers to the legislative branch being divided.

Judicial powers of the legislative branch

Writes, debates, passes bills into law