What Are the Checks Placed on the President?
The United States Constitution was written to include a variety of checks and balances to restrict any one of the three branches of government from becoming too powerful. The Executive Branch, or the Office of the President, has specific checks and balances intended to deter tyranny.
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Impeachment
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The impeachment process is a formal procedure defined by the U.S. Constitution to allow removal from power of any executive branch leader guilty of "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." If the president is engaged in unlawful activities, the legislative branch, Congress, can use this method of checks and balances. Both houses of Congress are involved in the impeachment process; the House of Representatives has the power to impeach, and the Senate tries the accused.
Veto Override
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Congress has the power to override presidential vetoes. If the president rejects, or vetoes, a bill passed by Congress, a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate will enact the bill into law despite the veto. This ensures that necessary laws are passed and are not solely dependent on the president's decision.
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Approval of Appointments
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All departmental appointments made by the president must be approved by the Senate. This includes members of the president's cabinet, such as the secretary of state or secretary of defense. The Senate must also approve appointment of foreign ambassadors and a replacement vice president, should the one elected by the people be unable to fulfill his or her duties.
Declaration of War
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Although the president, as commander-in-chief of the military, has the authority to command troops on the battlefield, the President of the United States cannot declare war on another country. Congress alone has the power to declare war on behalf of the United States. By the same token, the Senate must approve treaties signifying an end to conflicts.
Other Checks and Balances
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If a presidential election ends without a majority of electoral college votes, the House of Representatives votes to choose the president and the Senate votes to choose the vice president.
The president creates a federal budget, but it must be approved by Congress. Congress also has the ability to enact taxes and allocate funds to the respective federal agencies and departments.
The president is constitutionally required to give a State of the Union address. Although the speech is televised and may appear as an address to the American people, the State of the Union is the president's obligation to inform Congress.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Daniel Lobo
