Powers of Congress

• Passes all federal law
• Establishes lower federal courts and the number of judges
• Can impeach and remove the president
• Can override the president's veto by a two-thirds vote
• Passes the federal budget, which finances the executive branch and other government institutions
• Approves treaties
• Approves presidential appointments, including those to the federal court

Checks and Balances on Congressional Powers

• Both houses of Congress must veto to enact a law, thereby checking power within the legislature
• President can veto legislation
• Supreme Court can rule federal state laws unconstitutional

Powers of the Chief Executive

• Carries out the laws passed by Congress
• Can approve or veto acts of Congress
• Can Call Congress into special session
• Can submit legislation to Congress
• Nominates Supreme Court and federal judges
• Can pardon people convicted in federal courts or grant reprieves
• Executes court orders
• Makes foreign treaties
• Serves as commander in chief of armed forces

Checks and Balances on Executive Power

• Congress can
  • override vetoes of legislation by a two-thirds vote
  • impeach and remove president (with chief justice of Supreme Court presiding)
  • declare war
• Senate can refuse to confirm nominees or ratify treaties
• Supreme Court can declare presidential acts unconstitutional

Powers of the Judiciary

• Can invalidate, on grounds of unconstitutionality, laws passed by Congress
• Can invalidate executive branch orders or actions on grounds of unconstitutionality or absence of authorizing legislation

Checks and Balances on Judicial Powers

• Congress can
  • change number and jurisdiction (authority to hear cases) of federal courts
  • impeach and remove federal judges
  • propose constitutional amendments to override Supreme Court decisions
• President appoints federal judges (who must be confirmed by the Senate)