The concept of the Separation of Powers dates back to ancient Greece where for the first time the state was divided into branches, each having separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility. In its ideal form, the system is supposed to ensure that “the powers of one branch are not in conflict with the powers associated with the other branches.”(Czarny, 2016) Typically, the power is divided between three branches- legislature, executive, and judiciary as it is the case with the American system.
In the United States, the legislative branch is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate, which collectively make the U.S. Congress. Added to the legislative branch are the Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Office, and …show more content…
In practice, this means that, for example, the president can veto laws passed by Congress, and “Congress can confirm or reject the president 's appointments and can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.”(The House) The justices of the Supreme Court, who are selected for life, are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. There are many other examples of how the separation of powers is in play in the American political life. Legislative branch can impeach the sitting President which happened once in the case of President Clinton in his Monica Lewinsky scandal: same as the President is able to veto laws passed by Congress, the latter can override the veto with the two third majority vote; The Congress also can change the number of justices on the Supreme Court and initiate constitutional amendments. Interestingly, there are some provisions in place that Congress can use to check itself. “All the major bills must be passed by both houses and all the revenue bills must be originated in the House of Representatives.”(US History) When it comes to the executive branch, besides presidential veto, the Vice President is, at the same time, the President of the Senate …show more content…
The Congress, all these years, was in the 10-20% range approval by the American public, the President sunk lower than 40% too, just to be back up now when he is a lame duck. Democrats in the Senate used the nuclear option and removed the filibuster over some of the Obama appointees only to get the same treatment from the Republicans when it came to confirming Obama’s pick for the Supreme Court to replace late Justice Antonin Scalia. The gridlock in Washington was the norm for the last eight years and the American public did not like it. As a result, both parties moved away from the center, Republicans to the right through a wave of so-called tea party legislators and democrats further
In the United States, the legislative branch is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate, which collectively make the U.S. Congress. Added to the legislative branch are the Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Office, and …show more content…
In practice, this means that, for example, the president can veto laws passed by Congress, and “Congress can confirm or reject the president 's appointments and can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.”(The House) The justices of the Supreme Court, who are selected for life, are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. There are many other examples of how the separation of powers is in play in the American political life. Legislative branch can impeach the sitting President which happened once in the case of President Clinton in his Monica Lewinsky scandal: same as the President is able to veto laws passed by Congress, the latter can override the veto with the two third majority vote; The Congress also can change the number of justices on the Supreme Court and initiate constitutional amendments. Interestingly, there are some provisions in place that Congress can use to check itself. “All the major bills must be passed by both houses and all the revenue bills must be originated in the House of Representatives.”(US History) When it comes to the executive branch, besides presidential veto, the Vice President is, at the same time, the President of the Senate …show more content…
The Congress, all these years, was in the 10-20% range approval by the American public, the President sunk lower than 40% too, just to be back up now when he is a lame duck. Democrats in the Senate used the nuclear option and removed the filibuster over some of the Obama appointees only to get the same treatment from the Republicans when it came to confirming Obama’s pick for the Supreme Court to replace late Justice Antonin Scalia. The gridlock in Washington was the norm for the last eight years and the American public did not like it. As a result, both parties moved away from the center, Republicans to the right through a wave of so-called tea party legislators and democrats further