1.B. AMERICAN SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT Flashcards
Name one branch or part of the government.
▪ Congress (Legislative)
▪ President (Executive)
▪ The Courts (Judicial)
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ Checks and Balances
▪ Separation of Powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President
Who makes federal laws?
▪ Congress
▪ Senate and House (of Representatives
▪ (U.S. or National) Legislature
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
- The Senate and
- House of Representatives
How many U.S. Senators are there?
One hundred (100)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
Six (6)
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
Answers will vary. [D.C. and U.S. territory residents: Indicate that your location has no U.S. Senators.]
Visi senate.gov to find your state’s U.S. Senators.
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
Four Hundred Thirty-Five (435)
The number of representatives with full voting rights is 435, a number set by Public Law 62-5 on August 8, 1911, and in effect since 1913. The number of representatives per state is proportionate to population. To learn more, visit here.
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
Two (2)
Name your U.S. Representative.
Answers will vary. [Residents of U.S. territories with nonvoting Delegates or a Resident Commissioner may name them, or simply say they don’t have a voting Representative in Congress.]
To find your U.S. representative, visit house.gov
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
All people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
▪ (Because of) the State’s Population
▪ (Because) they have More People
▪ (Because) Some States have More People
We elect a President for how many years?
Four (4)
In what month do we vote for President?
November
An election for president of the U.S. happens every four (4) years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Source.
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States.
Donald J. Trump / Donald Trump / Trump (January 20, 2025-January 20, 2029)
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States.
JD Vance / Vance (January 20, 2025-January 20, 2029).
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Vice President
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Speaker of the House
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
The President
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
Who vetoes bills?
The President
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President
What are two (2) Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of
▪ Commerce
▪ Labor
▪ Agriculture
▪ Energy
▪ Defense
▪ Education
▪ Health and Human Services
▪ State
▪ Treasury
▪ Interior
▪ Housing and Urban Development
▪ Homeland Security
▪ Transportation
▪ Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President
Mnemonic Tip: CLAED-EHS-TIHH-TVAV (“Cool Leaders Act Every Day Ensuring Healthy States Thrive in Housing and Homes, Transporting Values Against Violence.”)
