Title: What Is the Concept of the Checks & Balances of the United States Government? | Synonym
Headings: What Is the Concept of the Checks & Balances of the United States Government?
What Is the Concept of the Checks & Balances of the United States Government?
Explore this article
1 Presidential Checks on Congress
2 Congressional Checks on the President
3 Checks Within Congress
4 Judicial Checks

Content: What Is the Concept of the Checks & Balances of the United States Government? | Synonym
What Is the Concept of the Checks & Balances of the United States Government? The concept of checks and balances is written into the U.S. Constitution. Checks and balances ensure that no branch of the government -- the judicial, executive or legislative branch -- obtains significantly more power than any other. The Constitution designed certain mechanisms, like veto powers and court reviews, that create a constant tug-of-war between the various branches of government. This tension ensures that they all "check" each other to create "balance." Explore this article
Presidential Checks on Congress
Congressional Checks on the President
Checks Within Congress
Judicial Checks
1 Presidential Checks on Congress
The executive branch of the government -- occupied by the president -- has the ability to check the power of the legislative branch, which is the Congress. While Congress has the authority to originate and pass all laws, including those pertaining to funding, the president has the ability to veto such laws. Doing so means that the bill passed by Congress will not become law. In addition, the president has the authority to execute laws passed by Congress.