While each branch of government has its own responsibilities, the U.S. Constitution uses a system of "checks and balances" to keep any one branch from having too much control. Here are some examples:

• When Congress writes a bill, the president can veto (reject) it before it becomes law. Congress can then only pass the bill if more than two-thirds of the members of Congress vote for it.
• The president and his staff create a national budget, but Congress must approve it.
• When the legislative and executive branches can't agree about what a law means, the U.S. Supreme Court can make the final decision.

In two to three sentences, write down what you think the phrase "checks and balances" means.

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