Which of these is an example of a check on the power of the legislative branch?

Which of these is an example of a check on the power of the legislative branch?

The Constitutional Structure For Limited And Balanced Government

The Constitution was devised with an ingenious and intricate built-in system of checks and balances to guard the people's liberty against combinations of government power. It structured the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary separate and wholly independent as to function, but coordinated for proper operation, with safeguards to prevent usurpation of power. Only by balancing each against the other two could freedom be preserved, said John Adams. Another writer of the day summarized clearly the reasons for such checks and balances:

  • "If the LEGISLATIVE and JUDICIAL powers are united, the MAKER of the law will also INTERPRET it (constitutionality).
  • Should the EXECUTIVE and LEGISLATIVE powers be united... the EXECUTIVE power would make itself absolute, and the government end in tyranny.
  • Should the EXECUTIVE and JUDICIAL powers be united, the subject (citizen) would then have no permanent security of his person or property."
"INDEED, the dependence of any of these powers upon either of the others ... has so often been productive of such calamities... that the page of history seems to be one continued tale of human wretchedness." (Theophilus Parsons, ESSEX RESULTS)

What were some of these checks and balances believed so important to individual liberty? Several are listed below:

  • HOUSE (peoples representatives) is a check on SENATE - no statute becomes law without its approval.
  • SENATE is a check on HOUSE - no statute becomes law without its approval. (Prior to 17th Amendment, SENATE was appointed by State legislatures as a protection for states' rights - another check the Founders provided.)
  • EXECUTIVE (President) can restrain both HOUSE and SENATE by using Veto Power.
  • LEGISLATIVE (Congress - Senate & House) has a check on EXECUTIVE by being able to pass, with 2/3 majority, a bill over President's veto.
  • LEGISLATIVE has a further check on EXECUTIVE through power of discrimination in appropriation of funds for operation of EXECUTIVE.
  • EXECUTIVE (President) must have approval of SENATE in filling important posts in EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
  • EXECUTIVE (President) must have approval of SENATE before treaties with foreign nations can be effective.
  • LEGISLATIVE (Congress) can conduct investigations of EXECUTIVE to see if funds are properly expended and laws enforced.
  • EXECUTIVE has a further check on members of LEGISLATIVE (Congress) in using discretionary powers in decisions regarding establishment of military bases, building & improvement of navigable rivers, dams, interstate highways, etc., in districts of those members.
  • JUDICIARY is a check on LEGISLATIVE through its authority to review all laws and determine their constitutionality.
  • LEGISLATIVE (Congress) has restraining power over JUDICIARY, with con­stitutional authority to restrict extent of its jurisdiction.
  • LEGISLATIVE has power to impeach members of JUDICIARY guilty of treason, high crimes, or misdemeanors.
  • EXECUTIVE (President) is a check on JUDICIARY by having power to nominate new judges.
  • LEGISLATIVE (Senate) is a check on EXECUTIVE and JUDICIARY having power to approve/disapprove nominations of judges.
  • LEGISLATIVE is a check on JUDICIARY - having control of appropriations for operation of federal court system.
  • LEGISLATIVE (Peoples Representatives) is a check on both EXECUTIVE and JUDICIARY through power to initiate amendments to Constitution subject to approval by 3/4 of the States.
  • LEGISLATIVE (Senate) has power to impeach EXECUTIVE (President) with concurrence of 2/3, of members.
  • The PEOPLE, through their State representatives, may restrain the power of the federal LEGISLATURE if 3/4 of the States do not ratify proposed Constitu­tional Amendments.
  • LEGISLATIVE, by Joint Resolution, can terminate certain powers granted to EXECUTIVE (President) (such as war powers) without his consent.
  • It is the PEOPLE who have the final check on both LEGISLATIVE and EX­ECUTIVE when they vote on their Representatives every 2 years, their Senators every 6 years, and their President every 4 years. Through those selections, they also influence the potential makeup of the JUDICIARY.

It is up to each generation to see that the integrity of the Constitutional structure for a free society is maintained by carefully preserving the system of checks and balances essential to limited and balanced government. "To preserve them (is) as necessary as to institute them," said George Washington.


Footnote: Our Ageless Constitution, W. David Stedman & La Vaughn G. Lewis, Editors (Asheboro, NC, W. David Stedman Associates, 1987) Part III:  ISBN 0-937047-01-5

Which of the following is an example of a check on the power of the legislative branch?

The executive branch can check the legislative branch by vetoing legislation, and it can check the judicial branch by nominating judges. The legislative branch can check the judicial branch by impeaching judges and can check the presidential branch by impeaching the president.

What are 3 examples of checks and balances in the legislative branch?

The Legislative branch has the following checks and balances on the other branches:.
Senate approves justices..
The House can impeach justices..
The Senate tries impeached justices..
Congress can create amendments..
Congress can set jurisdiction for courts..
Congress can alter the size of the Supreme Court..

What is one example of a check and balance that is on the legislative branch?

Both the House and the Senate have to pass a bill in the same form for it to become law. Once Congress (Legislative) passes a bill, the president (Executive) has the power to veto it but Congress can also override the veto with a supermajority vote.

Which is an example of a legislative check on the executive branch quizlet?

The Legislative Branch checks over the Executive Branch by being able to impeach the president and approving appointments from the president. Congress may also override veto (this needs ⅔ vote). Congress checks over the Judicial Branch by having the power to impeach judges, and Congress may also remove some courts.