Ace the Civic Literacy Challenge 2026 – Unlock Your Citizen Superpower!

Judicial review is a fundamental principle of the American legal system that empowers courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions. This means that if a law passed by Congress or an executive action taken by the President is found to violate the Constitution, the court has the authority to declare that law or action void.

The power of the Supreme Court to find laws unconstitutional is a significant aspect of its role, ensuring that no law or action can supersede the principles and provisions outlined in the Constitution. This function serves as a check on the legislative and executive branches, maintaining the balance of power among the branches of government and safeguarding individual rights.

In contrast, the other options highlight different powers or functions within the government. The President's authority to issue executive orders pertains to the executive branch's ability to manage operations within the federal government, not to judicial review. Congress overriding a presidential veto involves legislative processes and does not reflect the concept of judicial review. Similarly, the ability to amend the Constitution is a constitutional mechanism that allows changes to be made to the foundational document but is not related to the judiciary's power to evaluate constitutionality.