Who provides the checks and balances in the U.S. Government?

The concept of checks and balances is fundamental to the structure of the U.S. Government, designed to ensure that no single branch becomes too powerful. Each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—has distinct responsibilities and powers, and they each have the ability to check the others.

The President, as the head of the executive branch, can veto legislation passed by Congress. Congress, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, has the authority to create laws and can also impeach members of the executive and judicial branches. The Supreme Court, representing the judicial branch, can rule laws unconstitutional, thereby checking the powers of both the executive and legislative branches.

This interdependence creates a balance where each branch has the capacity to restrain the others, maintaining an equilibrium of power throughout the federal government. Therefore, it is accurate to say that the checks and balances system is provided by all branches of government working in concert.