Checks and balances

Checks and balances, in United States government, is a separation of powers to keep one branch of government from gaining any more power than another.

Legislative Branch

 * Makes all laws
 * Declares all martial law
 * Controls all money and budgets, borrows, etc.
 * Has sole power to declare war
 * Oversees government officials
 * Confirms the heads of the executive branch
 * Confirms judicial appointments
 * Ratifies treaties
 * Organizes impeachment trials

Executive Branch
The President
 * Preserves, defends, and protects the Constitution
 * Faithfully executes the laws of the country
 * May veto laws passed by Congress
 * Executes congressional spending
 * Executes the instructions of Congress in military or war
 * Declares states of emergency
 * Creates treaties
 * Appoints judges
 * Can grant pardons Gerald Ford was known for giving pardons to crooks
 * Has power to put flags on half staff
 * Is the commander in chief of the armed forces

Judicial Branch

 * Determines which laws Congress intended to apply
 * Determines whether a law is unconstitutional
 * Determines how Congress meant the law to apply to disputes
 * Determines how laws apply to prisoners
 * Policies its own members