Checks and Balances Flow Chart

By placing your mouse over sections of the flow chart, you can see which examples of the checks and balances system of the United States Constitution is at work. The flow chart shows the three branches of the federal government with the arrows pointing to the branch being controlled. The arrows originate at the branch that has the controlling or checking power over the other branch. See if you can mouse over the correct part of the flow chart to reveal the correct answer. The idea is to remember which branch has a given power and which branch is having its power controlled or restricted by the action of the other. Sometimes, more than one branch is being controlled. In that event, the checking action would appear twice on the flow chart. The answers are listed below, and you can access and learn more about them by clicking on the link after the questions.

1. Declare laws unconstitutional. 

2. Grant pardons, reprieves, and commute sentences.

3. Veto bills

4. Confirms presidential appointments

5. Has control of the US budget

6. Federal judges are appointed for life.

7. Impeachment of federal officials, including the President

8. Override presidential veto

9. Can call special sessions of Congress

10. Can establish courts, set number of judges.

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