Question

iii. cs13 - dynamic interaction and checks & balances (cs 13)

1. content statement 13 notes that the political process creates a dynamic interaction among the 3 branches when addressing current issues. what are two possible results of the dynamic interactions that occur when the branches address current issues?

1. give 3 examples of a legislative check on the executive branch?

1. give 3 examples of a legislative check on the judicial branch?

1. what are 2 of the executive branch’s checks on the legislative branch?

1. what are three ways the executive branch checks the judicial branch?

1. what are the two checks that the judicial branch has on the legislative branch?

1. what are three checks that the judicial branch has on the executive branch?

1. study the diagram: which branch has the power to confirm & reject executive appointments?

1. study the diagram: which branch has the power to declare war, approve and reject treaties?

iv. factors impacting branch interaction (cs 13)

1. name the four general factors that impact the interaction among the three branches of government?

1. what are two ways the involvement of interest groups affect the interaction of the branches (give one example)?

1. what term describes the situation when one political party controls the executive branch and the opposing party controls one or both houses of the legislative branch?

1. besides the amount of public interest, what other factor related to information sharing can impact the interaction among the branches?

1. the interaction among members of the branches can also be affected by the ___________________ relationships among members of each branch.

Explanation:

1. Results of branch interactions include policy compromise (to pass legislation) and gridlock (no action on issues).
2. Legislative checks on the Executive include overriding a presidential veto, impeaching/removing the president, and approving executive appointments.
3. Legislative checks on the Judicial include impeaching/removing federal judges, setting the number of federal courts, and confirming federal judicial nominees.
4. Executive checks on the Legislative include vetoing legislation and calling special sessions of Congress.
5. Executive checks on the Judicial include nominating federal judges, granting pardons to federal offenders, and refusing to enforce court rulings.
6. Judicial checks on the Legislative include declaring laws unconstitutional (judicial review) and interpreting vague laws.
7. Judicial checks on the Executive include declaring executive actions unconstitutional, issuing subpoenas to executive officials, and ruling executive orders invalid.
8. The Legislative Branch (Senate) confirms/rejects executive appointments.
9. The Legislative Branch (Congress) declares war and approves/rejects treaties.
10. Four factors impacting branch interaction are partisan control, public opinion, interest group pressure, and institutional norms.
11. Interest groups can lobby all branches to align policy with their goals (e.g., gun rights groups lobbying Congress to pass pro-gun laws and the president to sign them) and file lawsuits to push the judiciary to rule in their favor.
12. Divided government describes this situation.
13. The accuracy and transparency of information shared between branches is another factor.
14. Partisan (political party) relationships impact branch member interactions.

Answer:

1. 1. Policy compromise to pass bipartisan legislation; 2. Political gridlock with no policy action
2. 1. Overriding a presidential veto (requires 2/3 vote in both chambers); 2. Impeaching and removing the president or executive officials; 3. Confirming or rejecting presidential nominees for executive positions
3. 1. Impeaching and removing federal judges; 2. Setting the number and jurisdiction of federal courts; 3. Confirming or rejecting federal judicial nominees
4. 1. Vetoing bills passed by Congress; 2. Calling special sessions of Congress
5. 1. Nominating federal judges and Supreme Court justices; 2. Granting pardons and clemency to federal offenders; 3. Refusing to enforce federal court rulings
6. 1. Declaring federal laws unconstitutional via judicial review; 2. Interpreting the meaning of ambiguous laws
7. 1. Declaring executive orders or actions unconstitutional; 2. Issuing subpoenas to compel executive officials to testify or provide documents; 3. Ruling that executive branch actions violate federal law
8. The Legislative Branch (specifically the U.S. Senate)
9. The Legislative Branch (U.S. Congress, with the Senate handling treaty approval)
10. 1. Partisan control of branches; 2. Public opinion and constituent pressure; 3. Interest group influence; 4. Institutional rules and norms
11. 1. Interest groups can lobby all three branches to advance their policy priorities (example: environmental groups lobbying Congress to pass climate legislation, the president to sign it, and the courts to uphold it); 2. Interest groups can file amicus curiae briefs to influence judicial decisions that impact inter-branch policy implementation
12. Divided government
13. The transparency and accuracy of information shared between the branches (or the speed of information sharing)
14. Partisan (political party)