Checks and Balances

The U.S. Constitution divides the powers of the government among three branches, the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. In the Congress, power is also divided between the House and the Senate. This system of "checks and balances" prevents any one part from becoming too powerful.

The President, for example, nominates federal officials, but their appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. Congress can pass a bill, but the President may veto it. The Supreme Court may declare acts of Congress unconsitutional, but the Congress can pass new laws that reverse Court decisions.

The Constitution also states that neither the House of Representatives nor the U.S. Senate may adjourn for more than three days without consent from the other. This has led to something known as "pro forma sessions."

What is a pro forma session?

This information is paraphrased from the book "The Young Oxford Companion to the Congress of the United States." Used with kind permission of the author, Donald A. Ritchie