branches of government test Flashcards
Why is the census taken every 10 years
to determine the number of house of representatives in each state 
what is apportionment?
The process by which states gain or lose seats in the House of Representatives
what is gerrymandering? How is Arizona different from other states in regard to this process?
Gerrymandering is when state legislators redraw the congressional districts to the advantage of their party. Arizona has an Independent Redistricting Commission to draw the lines. 
what do each of the philosophies of representation mean? 
Trustee: voting based on their own information and beliefs
Delegate: voting based on the will of the people in their state
Partisan: voting is based on the will of their party (most common way)
Politico: a combo of the 3
Who is the main party leader of the House of Representatives?
Speaker of the house (presiding officer and most powerful)
Who are the party leaders in the senate?
Vice president & President Pro Tempore (presiding officers)
Senate Majority Leader (most powerful)
Why does congress use a committee system? How is it determined who is the leader of a committee?
used to get more work done. Leaders are decided by seniority majority 
Describe the function of the standing committee
main committee (bill starts here)
Describe the function of the rules committee
only in the House of Representatives
describe the function of the appropriations committee
Spending committee
describe the function of the ways and means committee
Taxation committee 
Describe the function of a conference committee
make the bill the exact same 
What are two important powers exclusive to the house of representatives
Bring impeachment charges, and all spending bills originate here 
Why do all spending bills originate in the House of Representatives?
The house better represents the people
what are two important powers exclusive to the senate
Conduct impeachment trials, and confirm all presidential appointments
describe how presidential succession works (1st in line to 4th in line)
- Vice President
- speaker of the house
- president pro tempore
- secretary of state 
describe the presidents role as chief administrator
CEO of the government
describe the presidents role as chief legislator
Head of domestic policy
Describe the presidents role as commander in chief
Head of military
Describe the presidents role as chief diplomat
Head of foreign policy 
describe the presidents role as chief executive
Enforces and makes laws
Describe the presidents role as chief of state
ceremonial and actual head of state 
What is the presidents cabinet? who is included in it?
they advise the president
(vice president and 15 department heads) 
Why is the Secretary of State considered one of the most important cabinet positions?
They deal with foreign affairs
What are the steps in the process of electing the president?
National convention (declare candidates) and electoral college 
What is a primary
a vote within a party
how are votes in the electoral college determined? how many are needed to win an election?
-Number of house of representative seats plus senate seats
-270 votes needed 
Why is the electoral college criticized?
You can win the popular vote, but not become president
give two examples of how the executive branch checks the legislative branch
-can sign bills into law
-veto power
give two examples of how the legislative branch checks the executive branch
-impeachment
-approving presidential appointments
significance of Marbury v. Maryland
established judicial review
significance of McCulloch v. Maryland
supremacy clause justified by necessary and proper clause
significance of Gibbons v. Ogden
interstate commerce is in the hands of Congress (supremacy clause)
why was john marshal so important in the development of the supreme court/judicial branch
invented judicial review, made supremacy clause
what types of cases does the supreme court normally hear
cases regarding constitutional issues (they hear cases appealed from lower courts)
what is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?
original: where cases are heard for the first time
appellate: cases heard on appeal 
Why do we have a dual court system in the US
To uphold federal laws and state laws
What are the three levels of courts at both state and federal level?
State: city court, appeals court, state Supreme Court
Federal: District Court, appeals court, supreme court 
What is the supremacy clause?
Federal law has supremacy over state law
Significance of governor in AZ government
chief executive of Arizona 
significance of Secretary of State in AZ government
Official record keeper and handles elections
Significance of attorney general in AZ government
Chief lawyer
significance of treasurer in AZ government
In charge of all fiscal (money)
What is an initiative?
A law proposed by citizens 
What is a referendum?
a law referred to the citizens from legislators 
What is a recall?
Citizens can remove a politician from Office
Why were the initiative, referendum, and recall processes created when Arizona become a state?
they give citizens more power over Arizona government 
How does Arizona’s legislator differ from the US legislator from a representation standpoint?
Arizona house of representatives is based off of equal representation (not proportional representation)
Who runs county governments?
Board of supervisors
What is the title given to the top law enforcement officer in a county?
Sheriff
What is the top position in city government?
Mayor
what is the number one type of city government?
Council manager 
Who is the only directly elected members in government?
Congress
What is the elastic clause?
Necessary and proper clause
When can you use the necessary and proper clause?
when it is good for the general welfare of the country 
