THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members....
The House has powers assigned exclusively to it: to...
- ... Initiate revenue bills
- ... Impeach federal officials
- ... Elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie
The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate and may cast the decisive vote in the event of a tie in the Senate.
The Senate has the power to...
- ... confirm those of the President's appointments that require consent
- ... ratify treaties
- ... try impeachment cases for federal officials referred to it by the White House
- However, there are two exceptions to this rule: the House must also approve appointments to the Vice Presidency and any treaty that involves foreign trade.
The Constitution gives CONGRESS the sole authority to ...
- ... declare war -
- declared on 11 occasions
- ... the right to allow or reject many Presidential appointments -
- Individuals nominated to U.S. Supreme Court since 1789: 151
- Nominees not confirmed by SENATE: 36
- Nominees rejected, but re-nominated later and confirmed: 6
- Nominees confirmed, but declining to serve: 7
- Nominees submitted more than once, but not confirmed: 6
- ... substantial investigative powers.
The most crippling being their checks and Balances abilities.
Though the Executive Branch is the one most people believe has the most power, the president promises things to the nation that the executive branch cannot do without the help of the legislative branch. The executive branch can only veto a law or create a law and pass it down to Congress to be checked on, thanks to checks and balances. Though, the Judicial Branch could override views by the executive branch however not so much over the Legislative Branch. The Legislative Branch of the Government is able to pass laws and send them to the president as well as impeach the president. Dealing with the money as well, they keep track of the flow of money and collect money for the government to have. Along with money, the Legislative Branch of the Government ratifies treaties. If they believe a treaty could be harmful to the society they can choose to veto the law. Almost every action by the other two branches can be overridden in the Senate and/or the House of Representatives. Like a veto from the president can be over turned by a three-thirds vote in Congress, or the president cannot declare war with out the Congress. The Congress decides on how much tax we pay everyday, which wars we will be in. The other Branches of Government have some power as well however not as powerful as the Legislative Branch.