2.11 Checks on the Judicial Branch

• The legislative branch has several checks on the judicial branch, including impeachment, jurisdiction, appointments, and constitutional amendments
• What is the process for impeachment of a federal judge?

  1️⃣ The House of Representatives impeaches the judge

  2️⃣ The Senate holds the trial

  3️⃣ The Senate decides whether to remove the judge
• What power does Congress have over the jurisdiction of federal courts?

  Congress can alter it
• The Senate must confirm all judicial appointments made by the President.
• What type of majority is required in Congress to propose a constitutional amendment?

  Two-thirds
• Match the legislative checks on the judicial branch with their descriptions:

  Impeachment ↔️ House impeaches, Senate tries federal judges

  Jurisdiction ↔️ Congress alters federal court jurisdiction

  Appointments ↔️ Senate confirms or rejects judicial appointments

  Constitutional amendments ↔️ Congress proposes amendments to overturn decisions
• For what reasons can a federal judge be impeached?

  "High crimes and misdemeanors"
• The executive branch has two significant checks on the judicial branch: appointments and pardons
• Who nominates federal judges?

  The President
• President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal.
• What are the two key stages of the amendment process outlined in the U.S. Constitution?

  Proposal and ratification
• Amendments can be proposed by a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate
• By what two methods can a proposed amendment be ratified?

  State legislatures or conventions
• Match the steps of the amendment process with their descriptions:

  Proposal ↔️ Amendments are proposed either by Congress or a national convention

  Ratification ↔️ Proposed amendments must be ratified by state legislatures or conventions
• Which legislative body can impeach federal judges?

  The House of Representatives
• Steps in the amendment process as outlined in the U.S. Constitution

  1️⃣ Proposal by Congress or a national convention

  2️⃣ Ratification by state legislatures or state conventions
• The amendment process is outlined in Article V of the Constitution.Article V
• What are the legislative checks on the judicial branch?

  Impeachment, jurisdiction, appointments, amendments
• The House of Representatives can impeach federal judges.
• The Senate must confirm judicial appointments
• Why did Congress propose the 16th Amendment?

  To allow income tax
• The process of impeachment and removal of a federal judge

  1️⃣ House of Representatives impeaches

  2️⃣ Senate holds the trial

  3️⃣ Senate decides on removal
• The President can nominate federal judges, but the Senate must confirm them.
• What is an example of a presidential pardon?

  Ford's pardon of Nixon
• The executive branch can directly shape the judiciary’s composition through appointments
• Steps in the constitutional amendment process

  1️⃣ Proposal by two-thirds of Congress or a national convention

  2️⃣ Ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures or state conventions
• Judicial restraint is a philosophy where judges avoid imposing their own preferences.restraint
• Match the judicial concept with its description:

  Public Opinion ↔️ Views of the general public that can influence judicial decisions

  Judicial Restraint ↔️ Judges defer to other branches and the will of the people
• What is the purpose of judicial review?

  Determines constitutionality of laws
• Judicial review was established in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).Marbury v. Madison
• The Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade was based on the right to privacy.