Which branch of government can invalidate a law passed in Congress?
Asked by: Mr. Elmore Emmerich | Last update: October 13, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (40 votes)
The judicial branch can check and balance both the legislative branch and the executive branch. The U.S. Supreme Court can invalidate statutes enacted by Congress if they conflict with the Constitution.
Which branch can invalidate a law?
The legislative branch makes laws, but the judicial branch can declare those laws unconstitutional.
Who can invalidate a law passed by Congress?
The complex role of the Supreme Court in this system derives from its authority to invalidate legislation or executive actions which, in the Court's considered judgment, conflict with the Constitution.
What branch of government can void a law?
Judicial Branch Powers: The Judicial branch can declare acts of the President unconstitutional, which removes them from the law. The Judicial branch can also declare laws passed by Congress to be unconstitutional in whole or in part.
Which branch can reject a law passed by Congress?
The president can approve the bill and sign it into law. Or the president can refuse to approve a bill. This is called a veto. If the president chooses to veto a bill, in most cases Congress can vote to override that veto and the bill becomes a law.
What Is the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government? | History
Can the executive branch deny laws?
The President has the power either to sign legislation into law or to veto bills enacted by Congress, although Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses.
Which branch can overturn or throw out laws passed by Congress?
Congress confirms or rejects the president's nominees. It can also remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances. The Justices of the Supreme Court, nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, can overturn unconstitutional laws.
What branch can deny laws?
The legislative branch makes laws, but the President in the executive branch can veto those laws with a Presidential Veto.
Who does have the right to nullify laws?
The states are sovereign entities and can decide to nullify a federal law that is inconsistent with the Constitution to protect their citizens. The federal and state governments share power and must negotiate over the application of federal laws to the states, reaching a compromise regarding nullification.
What branch of government has the power to overrule laws?
The best-known power of the Supreme Court is judicial review, or the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, is not found within the text of the Constitution itself. The Court established this doctrine in the case of Marbury v.
What legislative branch do?
The legislative branch is made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress. Among other powers, the legislative branch makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies.
What branch coins money?
Among the many powers given to the legislative branch, or the Congress, are the powers to introduce bills, collect taxes, regulate commerce with foreign countries, coin money, and declare war.
What does the judicial branch do?
The judicial branch of government is charged with interpreting the laws of the State of California. It provides for the orderly settlement of disputes between parties in controversy, determines the guilt or innocence of those accused of violating laws, and protects the rights of individuals.
What does the Senate control?
Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach a government official, in effect serving as prosecutor. The Senate has the sole power to conduct impeachment trials, essentially serving as jury and judge. Since 1789 the Senate has tried 20 federal officials, including three presidents.
Who has more power, Congress or the Supreme Court?
Congress and the Courts balance each other. Congress makes laws, but the Courts interpret them. The Supreme Court decides if a law fits the meaning of the Constitution.
Who has the power to repeal a law?
More commonly, however, a legislative body will repeal existing legislation through the jurisdiction's constitutionally proscribed legislative process.
Who has the power to nullify?
Under this, the compact theory, the states and not the federal courts are the ultimate interpreters of the extent of the federal government's power. Under this theory, the states therefore may reject, or nullify, federal laws that the states believe are beyond the federal government's constitutional powers.
Who voids unconstitutional laws?
The right of the Supreme Court of. the United States to declare void an Act of Congress because of its unconstitutionality, is today viewed as a doctrine evolved by the judges themselves. Its origin is traced to the opini6n of Chief Justice Marshall in Marbury v.
What branch can throw out laws?
Powers of Congress
The President may veto bills Congress passes, but Congress may also override a veto by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Article I of the Constitution enumerates the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may legislate.
Is the House or Senate more powerful?
The Senate is to-day the most powerful single chamber in any legislative body in the world, but this power, which is shown daily by the wide attention to all that is said and done in the Senate of the United States, is not the product of selfish and cunning usurpations on the part of an ambitious body.
Can the executive branch reject laws?
The veto power does not give the President the power to amend or alter the content of legislation—the President only has the ability to accept or reject an entire act passed by Congress.
Is Congress more powerful than the President?
Congress is the central law-making body to which the executive and judicial branches respond. Congress writes and debates the laws that govern the United States, and it can override presidential vetoes.
Which branch passed or rejected laws?
The primary function of Congress, as the Legislative Branch of our government, is to create and modify laws.
Does the military have to listen to the President?
Most people assume that the president oversees the military in the United States. As commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, the president has broad authority to make decisions that affect the military branches, especially during wartime, including determining troop movements and developing strategies for combat.