What can Congress do as a constitutional check on the judiciary?

Congress has the power to change the size and jurisdiction of courts, which serves as an important constitutional check on the judiciary. This authority allows Congress to influence the structure of the federal court system, including the number of judges on various courts as well as the types of cases those courts can hear. By altering the jurisdiction, Congress can effectively reshape the judiciary's influence over particular legal areas, thereby ensuring that the courts do not overstep their bounds or engage with issues that Congress deems inappropriate for judicial resolution.

This ability to adjust the structure and jurisdiction of courts helps maintain a balance of power among the branches of government, as it allows Congress to respond to perceived judicial overreach or to manage the courts’ workload. Furthermore, this power underscores the system of checks and balances that is fundamental to the functioning of the U.S. government, ensuring that no single branch, including the judiciary, can assert uncontrolled power.

Other options do not align as closely with Congress's constitutional checks against the judiciary. Settling cases through mediation falls outside the legislative function and instead pertains to conflict resolution mechanisms. Amending the Constitution is certainly a powerful tool but is more about altering the foundational legal framework rather than directly checking judicial authority. Lastly, appointing judges without political consideration is not a