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Checks And Balances To The Constitution Of The United States

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Political Science Research Paper After the thirteen colonies gained their independence from Great Britain in 1776, they formed a state government. However, they soon came to realized that it wasn’t strong enough to have a lasting government because the states were weak and ran like if they were independent countries. This is how the constitution came about. The constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 at the constitutional convention. The constitution was the basic structure of the federal government. At this convention, delegates made a plan for a stronger federal government. They created the three branches which were the executive, legislative and judicial branches. These delegates also made a system of checks and balances to …show more content…

“The legislative branch consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, collectively known as the Congress. There are 100 senators; each state has two. Each state has a different number of representatives, with the number determined by the state's population.” This branch is responsible for passing the nation’s laws, making specific funds for the government, and providing assistance for all the states. “The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers.” Congress also had to make sure that the other two branches don’t have too much power. It works as a checks and balance for the judicial and executive branches. Congress also has the power to coin money and has to regulate interstate and foreign commerce and trade. It also is responsible for maintaining the military. All legislative power in government is secured within congress meaning that it is the only branch that can make new laws and change existing laws. When trying to pass a bill, the president is able to veto the bill but congress has the power to override the president’s veto by two-thirds vote in the senate and the House of Representatives. Congress also has the power to make laws that are “necessary and

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The legislative branch consists of the two houses of Congress that have been decided upon by the Great Compromise (the House of Representatives and the Senate). Joint together as one system, Congress has the powers to create laws, declare war, override veto, and impeach the president. Secondly, the executive branch—consisting of the president, vice president, and the Cabinet—has the power to carry out laws (approve), negotiate foreign treaties—such as alliances—, and can grant pardons for federal offers. Finally, the judicial branch, or the Supreme Court Justices can interpret laws, declare laws unconstitutional, and declare the president unconstitutional. Having three branches of government helps keep the government in check, and it prevents one branch becoming more powerful than the other branches.

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