Illegal means that a given activity by a person, group, or organization violates a law. Unconstitutional means that a law violates conditions laid down in the constitution, and therefore is not a law and is not enforceable… as applied by the independent judiciary, all the way up to the supreme court.

Does unconstitutional mean illegal?

Illegal means that a given activity by a person, group, or organization violates a law. Unconstitutional means that a law violates conditions laid down in the constitution, and therefore is not a law and is not enforceable… as applied by the independent judiciary, all the way up to the supreme court.

What power does the president have to check Congress?

The President may veto bills Congress passes, but Congress may also override a veto by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Article I of the Constitution enumerates the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may legislate.

Why is Congress seen as the most powerful branch?

Why is Congress seen as the most powerful branch of government yet the one where the least gets done? Congress has the power to create law and legislation, directly determining public policy. Passing law is extremely difficult.

What power does the president have over the military?

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the …

What checks are placed on the president?

The President in the executive branch can veto a law, but the legislative branch can override that veto with enough votes. The legislative branch has the power to approve Presidential nominations, control the budget, and can impeach the President and remove him or her from office.

Which two laws did the Supreme Court declared to be unconstitutional?

United States, the Supreme Court held the mandatory codes section of NIRA unconstitutional,[20] because it attempted to regulate commerce that was not interstate in character, and that the codes represented an unacceptable delegation of power from the legislature to the executive.

What can Congress do if the Supreme Court finds a law unconstitutional?

What can Congress do if the Supreme Court rules a law unconstitutional? Congress can get around a Court ruling by passing a new law or changing a law ruled unconstitutional by the Court.

Does the president really have power?

The Constitution explicitly assigns the president the power to sign or veto legislation, command the armed forces, ask for the written opinion of their Cabinet, convene or adjourn Congress, grant reprieves and pardons, and receive ambassadors.

What can citizens do if the government violated their rights?

If your rights were violated by a government official such as a police officer or public school administrator, you may be able to bring a suit under Section 1983 of the U.S. Code. That section allows a citizen to bring a lawsuit against government employees or entities for violation of any constitutional right.

What happens if something is unconstitutional?

When a law is declared unconstitutional, it can no longer be enforced within the jurisdiction of the court issuing that ruling. When a law is declared unconstitutional, it can no longer be enforced within the jurisdiction of the court issuing that ruling.