Final answer:
The checks on the president written into the U.S. Constitution include congressional control over spending, Senate advice and consent authority, Senate treaty ratification authority, congressional impeachment powers, and the ability of Congress to override presidential vetoes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Checks on the President by Congress
The framers of the Constitution built in several checks on presidential power to ensure a balance among the branches of government, according to the principles of Montesquieu. These checks include:
- Congressional control over spending: Congress has the power of the purse and must approve federal budgets and spending.
- Senate advice and consent authority: The Senate must confirm presidential appointments, including judges and cabinet members.
- Senate treaty ratification authority: Before a treaty negotiated by the president becomes effective, it must be ratified by the Senate.
- Congressional impeachment powers: The House can impeach the president, and the Senate conducts the trial and can remove the president from office.
- Congressional veto override: Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses.
Each of these tools serves as a check on the executive branch and is part of the system of checks and balances integral to the U.S. Constitution.