American Gov - 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?*
Dick Durbin
Tammy Duckworth
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
▪ two (2)
Name your U.S. Representative.
Janice “Jan” Schakowsky
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
What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
Joe Biden
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Kamala Harris
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 Cabinet-level positions?
▪ Secretary of Agriculture ▪ Secretary of Commerce ▪ Secretary of Defense ▪ Secretary of Education ▪ Secretary of Energy ▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services ▪ Secretary of Homeland Security ▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development ▪ Secretary of the Interior ▪ Secretary of Labor ▪ Secretary of State ▪ Secretary of Transportation ▪ Secretary of the Treasury ▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs ▪ Attorney General ▪ Vice President
What does the judicial branch do?
▪ reviews laws
▪ explains laws
▪ resolves disputes (disagreements)
▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
▪ the Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal
government?
▪ to print money
▪ to declare war
▪ to create an army
▪ to make treaties
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
▪ provide schooling and education ▪ provide protection (police) ▪ provide safety (fire departments) ▪ give a driver’s license ▪ approve zoning and land use
Who is the Governor of your state now?
JB Pritzker
What is the capital of your state?*
Springfield
What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
▪ Democratic and Republican
What is the political party of the President now?
Democrat
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Nancy Pelosi
