The systems of Checks and Balances

The US Constitution provides for three main branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. They are separate and distinct from one another. Each branch is to some extent dependent on the other two and there is a partial interweaving of their functions. The powers given to each branch are carefully balanced by the powers of the other two. Each branch serves as a check on the others. This is to keep any branch from gaining too much power or from misusing its powers.

Congress has the power to make laws, but the President may veto any act of Congress. Congress, in its turn, can pass a law over a veto by a two-thirds vote in each house. Congress can also refuse to provide funds requested by the President. The President can appoint important officials of his administration, but they must be approved by the Senate. The President also has the power to name all federal judges; they, too, must be approved by the Senate. In 1973, the legislature limited the President’s powers as commander-in-chief by prohibiting commandment of armed forces abroad for combat without specific congressional approval. The courts have the power to determine the constitutionality of all acts of Congress and of presidential actions, and to strike down those they find unconstitutional.

The system of checks and balances makes compromise and consensus necessary. This system protects against extremes. It means, for instance, that new presidents cannot radically change governmental policies just as they wish. In the USA, therefore, when people think of “the government”, they usually mean the whole system, that is, the Executive Branch and the President, Congress, and the courts.

The powers of the national and state governments are limited by certain constitutional guarantees of civil liberties for individual citizens. These guarantees are known as the Bill of Rights. They are amendments to the original constitution. They forbid the government from restricting or limiting such civil liberties as freedom of speech, of religion, and of the press, and they guarantee to all citizens certain legal procedures and rights.

Answer the following questions. Give full answers.

1. How does the US Constitution affect the structure of the US government?

2. How does the system of checks and balances limit the powers of each branch of the US government?

3. What power do the US courts have in exercising a check on the legislative branch?

4. How does the executive branch exercise a check on the legislative branch?

5. What serves a limitation to the powers of the national and state governments?

6. What liberties do amendments to the original constitution guarantee?

Translate in writing Paragraph 2.

Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the information given in the text. Complete the box by printing your answers into it.

1. The system of checks and balances is necessary because it limits the President’s powers.

2. The President is not entitled to name all federal judges.

3. The powers of the state governments are restricted by the US Constitution.

4. The Bill of Rights is a list of civil liberties for individual citizens.

Complete the box by matching the verbs with words or phrases.

1. to override a. commandment of armed forces

2. to pass b. against extremes

3. to appoint c. amendments

4. to strike down d. a veto

5. to guarantee e. power

6. to propose f. a law over a veto

7. to represent g. judicial officials

8. to exercise h. legal procedures

9. to prohibit i. an act of Congress

10. to protect j. the majority party

Complete the box by matching the terms to their definitions.

Complete the box by choosing the right option.

1. The Congress … at least once a year.

a) meets; b) gathers; c) assembles; d) organizes

2. The President of the US is … every four years.

a) voted; b) elected; c) chosen; d) polled

3. These appointments must be … by the Senate.

a) confirmed; b) suggested; c) accepted; d) approved

4. The President is also responsible for … treaties with other nations.

a) amending; b) negotiating; c) violating; d) rejecting

5. The Supreme Court makes sure that people … the laws.

a) obey; b) interpret; c) violate; d) enforce

6. The President can also ask the Congress to … war.

a) announce; b) proclaim; c) declare; d) introduce

7. The … officer of the Senate is the Vice-President of the USA.

a) principal; b) superior; c) supervising; d) presiding

8. The … Court is the highest court in the country.

a) crown; b) county; c) supreme; d) federal

9. There are 15 … committees in the Senate and 19 in the House of Representatives.

a) joint; b) standing; c) consultative; d) advisory

10. When the President receives a bill from the Congress, he must … it.

a) sign; b) approve; c) accept; d) admit