power to impeach federal judges. Federal judges can help make laws in Congress. Congress has the power to overturn a Court ruling. Federal judges can stop an unconstitutional law from being passed.
How does the judicial branch interact with Congress? Congress has the power to impeach federal judges. Federal judges can help make laws in Congress. Congress has the power to overturn a Court ruling. Federal judges can stop an unconstitutional law from being passed.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Congress has the power to impeach federal judges.
Explanation
The judicial branch and the legislative branch, specifically Congress, interact in several important ways under the system of checks and balances established by the U.S. Constitution. One of the key powers Congress holds over the judicial branch is the power to impeach and remove federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. This serves as a critical check to ensure that judges do not abuse their authority or engage in misconduct.
Impeachment of federal judges begins in the House of Representatives, which has the sole power to bring charges of impeachment. If a simple majority in the House votes to impeach, the case moves to the Senate. The Senate then conducts a trial, and a two-thirds majority vote is required to convict and remove the judge from office.
While federal judges do not “make laws” like Congress does, they do interpret laws and can influence how laws are applied through court rulings. This interpretive role means that judges can shape the impact of legislation, but they do not participate in the legislative process itself.
Congress also has the power to respond to court rulings it disagrees with. Although it cannot directly “overturn” a court decision, Congress can pass new legislation or amend existing laws to address the Court’s concerns or clarify legislative intent. Additionally, in very rare circumstances, Congress and the states can pass a constitutional amendment to override a Supreme Court decision.
Finally, federal judges, through judicial review, can declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution. This important function, established by the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803), ensures that all branches of government adhere to constitutional principles.
In summary, the primary direct power Congress holds over the judiciary is the ability to impeach federal judges. This exemplifies the system of checks and balances that prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
