Video:Checks and Balances in the U.S. Government

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Transcript:Checks and Balances in the U.S. Government

The national government is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. These three branches are not independent of one another because the Constitution set up a system of checks and balances to help ensure that no one branch became too powerful. Each branch has powers that it can use to check and balance the operations and power of the other two branches. Here’s a look at the specific checks that each branch has been given.

The Legislative Branch Makes the U.S. Government Laws

The Legislative Branch is given the powers to make the laws. The Legislative Branch may override presidential vetoes with a two-thirds vote. It has the power over the purse strings to fund any executive actions. And it may remove the president through impeachment. Within the Legislative Branch, the Senate approves treaties and approves presidential appointments. The Legislative Branch creates lower courts and may remove judges through impeachment.The Senate, which falls under the Legislative Branch, approves appointments of judges.

The President's Power is About, About.com, advice, DIY, expert, how to, how-to, howto, how to video, instruction, instructional,  teach, learn, education, technique, tips, tutorial, video, video blog, vlog, help, topChecked by the Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch is given the power to carry out the laws The Executive Branch has veto power, the ability to call special sessions of Congress, recommend legislation and appeal to the people concerning legislation. The President appoints Supreme Court and other federal judges

The Judicial Branch Interprets the Laws of the U.S. Government

The Judicial Branch is given the power to interpret the laws. Judges, once appointed for life, are free from controls from the executive branch. Courts can judge executive actions to be unconstitutional through the power of judicial review. Courts can judge legislative acts to be unconstitutional.

The American system of checks and balances has worked well over the course of America's history. Even though there have been times when one branch has risen preeminent, overall the three branches have achieved a workable balance with no one branch holding all the governmental power.

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