The Presidency
The Judiciary
Bureaucracy
Checks and Balances
100
This term refers to politicians who are completing their tenure in office after being voted out.
What is a lame duck?
100
In 1987, this body exercised its constitutional authority in rejecting President Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court.
What is the Senate?
100
The Cuyahoga River caught fire dozens of times before the federal government stepped in. Discretionary and rule-making authority to implement policy are given to bureaucratic agencies, including this agency most responsible for stopping the pollution in that river.
What is the Environmental Protection Agency?
100
The President appoints a Supreme Court Justice. This is the action that Congress has over to check the President.
Senate Confirmation
200
In addition to signing and vetoing, this is the third option afforded to presidents upon the presentment of bills from Congress.
What is the pocket veto?
200
This Federalist paper set forth the rationale behind an independent judiciary.
What is Federalist #78?
200
Civil Service reform replaced the patronage system with this alternative way to staff government.
What is the merit system?
200
Congress passes a law, but the President disagrees with it. This is the formal check the President can use.
Veto
300
In 1942, Franklin Roosevelt used this implied power to establish relocation centers and detail American citizens.
What is an executive order?
300
Latin for "let the decision stand" this concept guides the judiciary to rely heavily on precedents.
What is stare decisis?
300
This image reflects this relationship between regulators, legislators, and lobbyists.
What is an iron triangle?
300
The President issues an executive order that may exceed constitutional authority. This is the check that the Judiciary can apply.
Judicial Review - declare unconstitutional
400
In 1913, Woodrow Wilson began the modern tradition by which presidents use this annual message as a tool for agenda-setting.
What is the State of the Union address?
400
Much like a president, a judge can be removed through this constitutional process.
What is impeachment?
400
Jimmy Carter tried to cancel superfluous water projects early in his term as president, decrying them as this type of legislation.
What is pork barrell legislation?
400
A federal agency implements a policy that Congress disagrees with. This is the check that Congress has over the Bureaucracy.
Conduct oversight hearings or cut funding
500
The justification for a single executive was outlined in this Federalist Paper.
What is Federalist #70?
500
The Supreme Court ruled in INS v. Chadha that this tool of Congress to control the president and the executive bureaucracy was unconstitutional.
What are legislative vetoes?
500
Since Jimmy Carter has only served one term in office, this constitutional amendment guarantees he is eligible to run for one more term.
What is the 22nd Amendment?
500
The Supreme Court makes a controversial ruling. This is one way Congress can check the Court’s power.
Pass a constitutional amendment