The Separation of Powers Checks and Balances

Congress has the power to make laws, but the President may veto any act of Congress. Congress, in its turn, can override a veto by a two-thirds vote in each house. Congress can also refuse to provide funds requested by the President. The President can appoint important officials of his administration, but they must be approved by the Senate. The President also has the power to name all federal judges; they, too, must be approved by the Senate. The courts have the power to determine the constitutionality of all acts of Congress and of presidential actions, and to strike down those they find unconstitutional.

The system of checks and balances makes compromise and consensus necessary. Compromise is also a vital aspect of other levels of government in the United States. This system protects against extremes. It means, for example, that new presidents cannot radically change governmental policies just as they wish. In the US, therefore, when people think of "the government", they usually mean the entire system, that is, the Executive Branch and the President, Congress, and the courts. In fact and in practice, therefore, the President (i.e. "the Administration") is not as powerful as many people outside the US seem to think he is. In comparison with other leaders in systems where the majority party forms "the government", he is much less so.

2. Explain the meanings of the following words and expressions.

a) constitutionality;

b) to strike down an act of Congress;

c) consensus;

d) the Administration.

3. Find in the text the English equivalents for the expressions below.

- быть связанным с;

- получить слишком большую власть;

- зависеть от;

- политика правительства;

- партия большинства;

- отклонить вето президента;

- одобрить;

- по сравнению с.

4. Answer the questions.

1. How are the powers of

a) the President;

b) Congress;

c) the Supreme Court limited by the system of checks and balances?

2. What is the role of compromise in the American system of running the country?

3. Why do people abroad tend to exaggerate the power of the US President?

5. There are 15 words connected with politics in the box. Use them to complete the sentences, in some cases you will need to make them plural. The first one has been done for you as an example.

1. Germany has a federal constitution.

2. A government________________revealed that discussions had been concluded on the treaty.

3. According to the latest opinion________________the Prime Minister is more unpopular than ever.

4. Austria's application for________________of the EU was successful.

5. Many Scots would like to see more________________of power from Westminster.

6. Parliament has introduced________________to control the sale of drugs.

7. The bill was passed by both________________and sent to the President for signature.

8. The crisis happened during the summer________________and Parliament had to be recalled.

9. The government is investigating the latest________________of documents relating to the spy trial.

10. The government is running a tight monetary________________to try to control inflation.

11. The________________of the opposition criticised the Prime Minister for his failure to act.

12. The motion was carried by 200 votes to 150; there were 60________________.

13. The President has the power of________________over bills passed by Congress.

14. There is a________________between all the major parties about what we should do now.

15. The minister has put forward a________________aimed at slowing down the economy.

Extension 1. All the words in the box are nouns. Some of them have verb forms. What are they? The first one has been done for you as an example.