Question

The US government relies upon checks and balances of power to prevent a concentration of power and abuse. What would be an example of one arm of government trying to keep another arm of the government from affecting good governance by its abuse of power?
a. The judiciary branch trying to hold a congressperson accountable if they overstep their role by meeting foreign leaders in an official diplomatic capacity to reverse US foreign policy.
b. Impeaching a President because he had consensual sexual relations with a White house intern, although it only affected the intern not public policy.
c. President firing the HHS secretary because he mistakenly told the public that influenza this year did not require vaccination.
d. The House stopping every Senate initiated bill because the House does not think the Senate's bills reflect their own perspectives.

Answer 1

Answer: a. The judiciary branch trying to hold a congressperson accountable if they overstep their role by meeting foreign leaders in an official diplomatic capacity to reverse US foreign policy.

Explanation: One important principle embodied in the U.S. Constitution is separation of powers.

If there are checks and balances, the branches of government can limit the powers of the others and no one branch will become too powerful over other branches. Checks and balances makes sure that the power is balanced between the branches of government.

The Executive Branch of government checks on Legislative by having the capability to veto bills. By rejection of appointments, the legislative Branch of government can put checks on the executive Branch. The legislative branch checks on Judicial by having the capacity to impeach the Supreme Court Justices.

Judicial Branch of government is the most powerful of all the branches. The Judicial Branch has the power to declare the acts of the congress and the executive branch of government un-constitutional.

Overstepping boundaries is unconstitutional in the US branches of government.