Article 1 (The Legislative Branch)

Question 1

What is the General Welfare Clause?

Answer 1

General power of Congress
“Provide for the common Defense and general Welfare (common good) of the US.”

Question 2

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Answer 2

General power of Congress
“Make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” for the carrying out of the other powers that the Constitution grants to Congress

Question 3

What are Enumerated Powers?

Answer 3

Powers that are specifically listed in the Constitution
Found in Article 1: borrow money, declare war, establish post offices, collect taxes

Question 4

What is the problem and solution for enumerated powers?

Answer 4

Problem: might leave out important powers needed by Congress to deal with unforeseen situations
Solution: use both general and specific language
* General Statements: general welfare clause, and necessary and proper clause

Question 5

What is a bill?

Answer 5

A proposed law given to the legislature for approval

Question 6

What is a veto?

Example:

Answer 6

The right of a branch of governemnt to reject a bill that been passes in an effort to delay or prevent its enactment

The president can veto a law when it is proposed, but it can still be overridden if ⅔ of the House and ⅔ of the Senate vote for it

Question 7

What are the limits to the powers of Congress?

Answer 7

Suspending writ of habeas corpus
Passsing ex post facto laws (can’t make law today and arrest you for breaking it yesterday)
Passing Bill of Attainder (set a punishment for someone violating the law without court trial)

Question 8

What is Writ of Habeas Corpus?

Answer 8

Government can’t suspend the privilege of writ of habeas corpus (limit on the power of Congress)
It is: government must explain why that person has been arrested, if the government can’t, they must be set free

Question 9

What is impeachment?

Answer 9

The House of Representatives can impeach the president, then the Senate holds a trial
* It means ‘to bring to trial’

Question 10

What is the 3/5 clause?

Answer 10

In Article 1, slaves counted as ⅗ of a vote/person (abolished by 14th Amendment)
* South wanted to count them as 1 to gain more power (to spread slavery)
* North wanted to count as 0 (they are ‘property’) to stop slavery
* Agreement on 5 slaves count as 3 votes