Definition: Checks and Balances

Checks and Balances

Each branch looks over the shoulders of the other two to make sure that there are no abuses of power. You need to know certain checks and balances, of which we will later go into greater detail. But for now:

If the President doesn’t like a bill, he or she can veto to prevent it from becoming a law. The Legislative Branch can then override that veto with a 2/3 vote from each house. The President appoints federal jobs such as Supreme Court justices, and the Senate approves these appointments. The President can make treaties, but the Senate must approve them. The Judicial Branch can strike down actions of both the President and Congress. Here is a graphic of the most important checks to know about:

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