American Government: System of Government Flashcards
What is the “rule of law”?
- Everyone must follow the law.
- Leaders must obey the law.
- Government must obey the law.
- No one is above the law.
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?
- Mitt Romney
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.
- Blake Moore
- John Curtis
- Celeste Maloy
- Burgess Owens
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?
- Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
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?
- Spencer Cox
What is the capital of your state?
- Salt Lake City
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
- Democratic and Republican
What is the political party of the President now?
- Democrat
