What is an example of a check the legislative branch has over the executive branch?

Study for the FGCU Civic Literacy Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to prepare confidently. Get ready for your exam!

The check that the legislative branch has over the executive branch through impeachment power is significant because it allows Congress to hold the president accountable for misconduct. Impeachment serves as a mechanism by which the legislative branch can remove a sitting president (or other federal officials) from office if they are found to have committed "high crimes and misdemeanors." This process involves the House of Representatives bringing forth articles of impeachment and the Senate conducting a trial to determine whether to convict and remove the official.

This power underscores the principle of checks and balances central to the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that no single branch of government can become too powerful or act without accountability. Impeachment emphasizes the legislative branch's role as a check on executive authority, highlighting the intricate relationship between the two branches of government.

While other options like the president's veto power, judicial review, and approval of treaties relate to the broader system of checks and balances, they illustrate different aspects of interaction between branches and do not specifically highlight the legislative branch's direct power to remove an executive leader.

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