Final answer:
The Congress's constitutional powers over the judiciary include the Senate's advice and consent on judicial appointments, the ability to establish lower courts, the impeachment and removal of federal judges, and the proposal of constitutional amendments to override court decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congress has several constitutional powers over the judiciary which serve as checks on this branch of government. The key powers include:
- Senate approval is necessary for the appointment of justices and federal judges, giving Congress a say in who becomes a part of the federal judiciary.
- Congress has the authority to establish lower courts, which allows them to shape the judicial branch beyond just the Supreme Court.
- The House of Representatives has the power to impeach, and both the House and Senate are involved in the process of removing federal judges if necessary.
- While Congress itself cannot veto a Supreme Court decision, it can propose constitutional amendments to override a judicial ruling, a process that requires a higher degree of consensus and is much more challenging than regular legislation.
Moreover, Congress can attempt to influence the judiciary by withholding funding or rewriting legislation in response to court decisions. This ensures that the judiciary, while independent in its interpretations of the law, remains subject to certain controls exercised by the legislative branch.