What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

CHECKS AND BALANCES is the system by which each branch of the federal government has the power to limit or check the power of the other two branches, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful. Both 'checks and balances' and 'separation of powers' are acceptable answers on the USCIS test. The Founders designed these systems based on their experience with unchecked governmental power (the British monarchy) and their study of political philosophy (Montesquieu's 'The Spirit of the Laws'). EXAMPLES of checks and balances: LEGISLATIVE checks on the EXECUTIVE: Congress can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote of both chambers; the Senate confirms presidential appointments and ratifies treaties; Congress can impeach and remove the president; Congress controls the budget. EXECUTIVE checks on the LEGISLATIVE: the President can veto bills passed by Congress; the President calls Congress into special session. JUDICIAL checks on both: the Supreme Court can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional (judicial review). EXECUTIVE checks on the JUDICIAL: the President nominates federal judges including Supreme Court justices. LEGISLATIVE checks on the JUDICIAL: the Senate confirms judicial appointments; Congress can propose constitutional amendments to override court decisions; Congress sets the jurisdiction of lower federal courts. SEPARATION OF POWERS refers to dividing government into three distinct branches (legislative, executive, judicial) with different functions — each branch has its own authority and none can fully control the others.