Executive Legislative Judicial Executive

Checks and balances: System set forth 

in the U.S. Constitution which divides 

governing power between the Executive, 

Legislative, and Judicial Branches. Each 

branch exercises some form of authority 

over the others, thereby balancing power 

across many individuals and institutions.

Conference Committee: A meeting 

between U.S. Representatives and U.S. 

Senators to resolve differences when two 

versions of a similar bill have been passed 

by the House and Senate. Identical bills 

must pass in both chambers before the 

bill can be presented to the President.

Confi rmation: The act of the U.S. Senate 

approving a presidential nominee to an 

executive branch post or federal judge-

ship.