Judicial Branch
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
US Government structure
Bureaucracy?
100
The Court can strike down laws passed by Congress that violate the Constitution.
What is Invalidating Unconstitutional Legislation? (Judicial Review)
100
The president can reject legislation passed by congress, sending it back unsigned.
What is the Veto / Veto Power?
100
Two-thirds of the Senate must approve treaties negotiated by the president.
What is Treaty ratification? (Senate)
100
Each branch's ability to limit or nullify the actions of the others. This is to make each branch more equal and one cannot dominate the other.
What is Checks and balances?
100
The traditional executive departments — State, Defense, Treasury, Justice, and more! All headed by secretaries
What are Cabinet Departments?
200
Presidential executive orders, proclamations, and agency actions can be struck down if they exceed constitutional authority.
What is Invalidating Unconstitutional Executive Actions? (Judicial Review [Executive Style])
200
The president nominates federal judges, including Supreme Court Justices, shaping the judiciary for decades.
What is Appointment / Appointment Power?
200
A two-thirds supermajority in both chambers can override a presidential veto, enacting legislation despite presidential objection.
What is Veto Override?
200
Agencies get budget support from friendly committees. Committees get expertise and constituency support. Interest groups get favorable regulations from agencies.
What is the Iron Triangle?
200
What is Iron Triangle?
300
The first time the Judicial branch exercised its bodacious powers.
What is Marbury v Madison (1803)?
300
The president can pardon individuals or commute sentences for federal crimes, effectively checking the enforcement of judicial decisions.
What is the Presidential Pardon / Commutation?
300
The House can formally charge and accuse the president, vice president, or federal judges of a crime; the Senate conducts the trial. Conviction requires a two-thirds Senate vote and results in removal from office
What is Impeachment?
300
Temporary committees created to investigate specific issues or handle matters outside standing committee jurisdiction.
What are Special / Select Committees?
300
When a business or individual violates a regulation, the relevant agency can investigate, hold hearings, and issue penalties — all within the executive branch.
What is Bureaucratic adjudication?
400
Courts can interpret existing laws in expansive ways that effectively change policy without new legislation.
What is Judicial interpretation?
400
If Congress adjourns within 10 days of sending a bill to the president, the president can effectively kill it by doing nothing — without issuing a formal veto that could be overridden.
What is the Pocket veto?
400
The confirmation of presidential nominees for federal judges, Cabinet officers, and other senior officials.
What is Confirmation Power? (Senate)
400
The steps a bill goes through to become a law.
1 drafting / introduction
2 committee action
3 first chamber
4 committee action (in second chamber)
5 second chamber
6 final approval
(potential veto, potential override)
400
When Congress passes a law, it typically sets broad objectives and leaves the details to executive agencies.
what is Bureaucratic rulemaking?
agencies fill in the blanks.
500
Courts determine what laws mean in practice, which significantly shapes how legislation is applied.
What is Interpreting federal law?
500
In extraordinary circumstances, the president can convene Congress outside its normal schedule.
What is the ability to call special sessions of Congress?
500
All federal spending must be authorized by Congress. The executive cannot fund programs Congress has not approved.
What is Power of the Purse?
500
A problem reaches public consciousness and politicians notice the issue. Media coverage, crises, interest group advocacy, or electoral pressure can all push the __________.
(hint this is set by the speaker of the house)
What is thee Congressional Agenda?
500
The three ways each branch can check and or balance the bureaucracy.
What is appropriations and oversight (Congress).
What is executive orders and appointments (Executive)
What is judicial review (Judicial)