2.5 Checks on the Presidency

• The system of checks and balances ensures no one branch has too much power
• The separation of powers is designed to prevent the concentration of power in one branch.
• Checks and balances prevent the abuse of power
• Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority.
• The checks and balances system ensures no single branch becomes too powerful
• Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses.
• What majority is required in the Senate to ratify treaties signed by the President?

  Two-thirds
• The Senate must approve presidential appointments, including cabinet members and judges
• The judicial branch can declare presidential actions unconstitutional.
• In which case did the Supreme Court rule that President Truman's seizure of steel mills was unconstitutional?

  Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer
• The Supreme Court's decision in $United States v. Nixon$ limited executive privilege
• Congress can overturn an executive order by passing a law that contradicts it.
• Which President issued an executive order to desegregate the military?

  Harry Truman
• How can Congress overturn an executive order?

  By passing a law
• Courts can declare an executive order unconstitutional if it exceeds presidential authority
• President Truman's desegregation of the military is an example of an impactful executive order.
• Match the advantage of executive orders with its description:

  Efficiency ↔️ Policies can be implemented rapidly

  Flexibility ↔️ Allows for swift adaptation to change

  Clarity ↔️ Provides clear guidance on implementation
• Steps in the impeachment process

  1️⃣ House Investigation

  2️⃣ House Articles of Impeachment

  3️⃣ Senate Trial
• In the Senate trial, a two-thirds vote is needed for conviction
• Treason is one of the offenses that warrants impeachment.
• Which President was impeached in 1868 but acquitted by the Senate?

  Andrew Johnson
• The separation of powers ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful
• Match the concept with its description:

  Separation of Powers ↔️ Division of governmental authority

  Checks and Balances ↔️ Limits actions of other branches
• Checks and balances prevent abuse of authority by maintaining a balance among the branches of government.
• What is an example of a check and balance between Congress and the President?

  Congress can impeach the President
• Order the legislative checks on the presidency based on their constitutional basis:

  1️⃣ Impeachment (Article I, Sections 2 and 3)

  2️⃣ Veto Override (Article I, Section 7)

  3️⃣ Treaty Approval (Article II, Section 2)

  4️⃣ Budget Control (Article I, Section 8)

  5️⃣ Confirmation of Appointments (Article II, Section 2)
• The impeachment of a President requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate
• The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, illustrating the treaty approval check on the presidency.
• What Supreme Court case declared President Truman's seizure of steel mills unconstitutional?

  Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer
• Match the check on executive orders with its description:

  Legislative Override ↔️ Congress can pass a law contradicting it

  Judicial Review ↔️ Courts can declare it unconstitutional
• Public opinion is one of the checks on presidential power established by the Constitution.