What is judicial review?

• A. The power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional
• B. The power of the president to veto laws
• C. The process by which a bill becomes law
• D. The authority of Congress to declare war

Answer: (C)

Judicial review is the power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional. This authority lets the judiciary check the other branches and ensure government actions stay within the Constitution’s limits. It grew out of landmark cases like Marbury v. Madison, which established that interpreting the Constitution and striking down incompatible laws or actions is a fundamental function of the courts. This mechanism helps protect rights and maintain the balance of power, so Congress and the president can’t override constitutional protections. The other options describe distinct powers—the president’s veto, the process by which a bill becomes a law, and Congress’s power to declare war—but they do not involve the courts evaluating constitutionality.