Checks and balances is a system in the federal government that ensures that no one branch or person has too much power. It functions by dividing the government into three coequal branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
Each branch has specific powers and functions that enable it to check and balance the other two branches and prevent the abuse of power. For example, the legislative branch can impeach and remove federal officials from office, override Presidential vetoes and approve or reject appointments to federal office. The Executive Branch can veto legislation passed by the Legislative branch, issue pardons, enforce laws, and call special sessions of Congress. The Judicial Branch can declare laws passed by the legislative branch unconstitutional and can issue rulings on disputes between the federal and state governments.
Through this system of checks and balances, the federal government is able to ensure that no single branch or person has too much power and that all are held accountable to the people they represent.
How does checks and balance function in our federal government?
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