1135 Questions & Blanks Flashcards
Every state has a __________
written constitution
Every state has a__________________________ and a ___________ both elected by popular vote
representative lawmaking body
governor
Only _________ has a unicameral legislature, and only ____________ has a legal system based on Roman law rather than on English common law.
Nebraska
Louisiana
In the original states, the ___________ had more power than the ____________
legislative branch
executive branch
The ____________ is less detailed and rigid than _____________
federal Constitution
state constitutions
An amendment is always ratified by _____________
popular referendum
Representation in ______ houses is based on ________ or _________ or __________;
Representation in ______ houses is based on ________ or _________________
lower, towns, counties, districts
upper, counties, senatorial districts
Powers of ______________ include those not granted to the _____________________________________ branches or _______ governments and those not denied to it by the Constitution
state legislatures
executive or legislative
local
____________ handle cases involving the state constitution, state laws, and county or municipial ordinances; and _____________ handle only cases involving interstate matters, violations of federal law, or intrastate matters on an appelate basis.
State courts
federal courts
________ and ___________ are both classified as local governments
county
municipial governments
A body of __________ or _______________ administers county governmetn
supervisors
commissioners
Police and fire protection are two major responsibilities of ______ governments
city
___________ governements have, for the most part, taken over responsibility for road construction and maintenance and the operation of school systems
State
In some areas, one large ____________________ has been formed by merging towns, cities, and counties.
metropolitan area
Things true of congressional districts
- All congressional districts must have nearly equal population
- The population of a congressional district cannot deviate more than 15% from the average
- Each district must be as compact as possible
- No district boundary can cross unified areas such as cities, counties, etc.
Factors contributing to the decision to establish a bicameral legislature
- The experiences of England and the colonies confirmed the superiority of a bicameral legislature.
- The system helped reconcile conflicting interests between small and large states.
- Each house checks the other, and neither democracy nor aristocracy dominates the government.
The _____________ is the basis for each state’s representation in the _____________________
number of residents
House of Representatives
___________________________ are drawn by state legislatures
Congressional district lines
When are congressional elections held?
Congressional elections are held the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years.
All candidates must keep careful records of _________________________________
their campaign income and expenditures
Corporations and other groups cannot make ____________ to a campaign
direct contributions
A PAC, or ____________, is allowed to contribute to a political campaign.
political action committee
___________ is the major function of Congress.
Lawmaking
Congress may delegate legislative powers to the ________________ but not to _____________
executive branch (President) the states or the people
Congress has given to certain _________________, specific __________
regulatory commissions
legislative duties
The nonlegislative functions of Congress
judicial powers constituent powers executive powers administrative control investigative powers electoral functions
Enumerated powers of Congress
to borrow money
to coin money
to declare war
to establish post offices
to impose and collect taxes
to provide and maintain a navy
to raise and support armies
to call out the militia to suppress insurrections
to establish rules of naturalization
to exercise authority over Washington D.C.
to fix standards of weights and measures
to pass copyright and patent laws
to pass laws necessary to carry out other powers
to regulate foreign and interstate commerce
Congressional terms begin on _________ following an election
January 3rd
A specific Congress exists for ___ years and must meet ______ during that time.
2
twice
The ___________ may call a special session of Congress but may neither __________ nor ____________
President
dissolve it
suspend its sessions
A regular congressional session may not be longer than
12 months
Both houses have a system of ______, ________, _______, ________, and ___________ to help them carry out their tasks
committees subcommittees rules procedures customs
Of the two houses of Congress, only the _________ has had a continuous existence
Senate
The most powerful man in the House is the _____________
Speaker of the House
The first two men who follow the President in succession
Vice President -> Speaker of the House
The average congressional committee has ___ members, and its chairman is usually the ______________ committee member with the most __________
35
majority party
seniority
The seniority system equates seniority with ______ and ________
ability
competence
The President of the Senate has less power than the Speaker of the House because he ______________
can vote only in case of a tie
cannot participate in debate
must recognize Senators as they rise
Bills for raising revenue must originate in the ___________________
House of Representatives
The _____________ in the House sets the time allotted for debate and the limitations on changes to a bill.
Rules Committee
Unlike the House, speeches and debate in the Senate are not subject to a _________
time limit
Congress is _________ and ____________ in its actions because it represents a multitude of constituents and mirrors the conflicts in our society
slow
deliberate
Features common to all of the states
- equal status within the U.S.
- inherent powers
- constitution
- system of checks and balances
- an elected governor
- judiciary
- separation of powers
Features common to all state constitutions include ___________
- a preamble
- provisions for amendment
- a bill of rights.
- more details than the federal Constitution
- provisions for education, etc.
- description of the organization of the branches
- provisions for voting and election procedures
The primary duty of a governor is to carry out and enforce the _____________, including the federal Constitution, the ________________, and the ________ and _____________ ______________
law of the state state constitution state national legislation
the chief lawyer, prosecutor, and defender of the state in court
attorney general
In every state, the ___________ and __________ are elected separately and may not be members of the same party
governor
lieutenant governor
A body of ___________ or ___________ is the lawmaking body that administers county government.
The _______________ is the head of that body and serves as the county’s executive officer
county supervisors
commissioners
county judge
Counties are a product of a ____________, but the U.S. is becoming more __________
rural society
urbanized
Critics of the bicameral system believe the ___________ often obstructs the ____________
Senate will of the voters
A congressman elected by a _________________ district represents residents of his district, but one elected ______________ represents residents of his entire state
single-member
at-large
Congressional authority includes both ___________ and ______________
implied
enumerated powers
The ____________ of both houses of Congress is essential because of the number of bills introduced each year.
committee system
The Rules Committee determines the ____________
scheduling of bills
