Marbury v. Madison is famous for establishing the power of the Supreme Court to:

• A. Strike down laws it finds unconstitutional
• B. Appoint federal judges
• C. Interpret treaties
• D. Veto legislation

Answer: (A)

Judicial review is the idea that the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution and strike down laws or official actions that violate it. Marbury v. Madison established that authority for the Court, declaring that it has the power to review and invalidate statutes that conflict with the Constitution. The case arose when Marbury sought a court order to compel delivery of his commission; the Court found that the specific provision of the Judiciary Act giving it that order exceeded the Constitution’s limits, but it still asserted that the Court must interpret the Constitution and declare laws unconstitutional. This set the principle that the judiciary acts as a check on both the legislative and the executive branches, ensuring laws align with the constitutional framework. The other options describe powers of the other branches: appointing federal judges belongs to the President (with Senate confirmation), interpreting treaties involves the President and Senate, and vetoing legislation is the President’s power.