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branches of government test Flashcards

1
Q

Why is the census taken every 10 years

A

to determine the number of house of representatives in each state 

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2
Q

what is apportionment?

A

The process by which states gain or lose seats in the House of Representatives

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3
Q

what is gerrymandering? How is Arizona different from other states in regard to this process?

A

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. 

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4
Q

what do each of the philosophies of representation mean? 

A

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

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5
Q

Who is the main party leader of the House of Representatives?

A

Speaker of the house (presiding officer and most powerful)

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6
Q

Who are the party leaders in the senate?

A

Vice president & President Pro Tempore (presiding officers)

Senate Majority Leader (most powerful)

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7
Q

Why does congress use a committee system? How is it determined who is the leader of a committee?

A

used to get more work done. Leaders are decided by seniority majority 

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8
Q

Describe the function of the standing committee

A

main committee (bill starts here)

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9
Q

Describe the function of the rules committee

A

only in the House of Representatives

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10
Q

describe the function of the appropriations committee

A

Spending committee

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11
Q

describe the function of the ways and means committee

A

Taxation committee 

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12
Q

Describe the function of a conference committee

A

make the bill the exact same 

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13
Q

What are two important powers exclusive to the house of representatives

A

Bring impeachment charges, and all spending bills originate here 

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14
Q

Why do all spending bills originate in the House of Representatives?

A

The house better represents the people

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15
Q

what are two important powers exclusive to the senate

A

Conduct impeachment trials, and confirm all presidential appointments

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16
Q

describe how presidential succession works (1st in line to 4th in line)

A
  1. Vice President
  2. speaker of the house
  3. president pro tempore
  4. secretary of state 
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17
Q

describe the presidents role as chief administrator

A

CEO of the government

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18
Q

describe the presidents role as chief legislator

A

Head of domestic policy

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19
Q

Describe the presidents role as commander in chief

A

Head of military

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20
Q

Describe the presidents role as chief diplomat

A

Head of foreign policy 

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21
Q

describe the presidents role as chief executive

A

Enforces and makes laws

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22
Q

Describe the presidents role as chief of state

A

ceremonial and actual head of state 

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23
Q

What is the presidents cabinet? who is included in it?

A

they advise the president
(vice president and 15 department heads) 

24
Q

Why is the Secretary of State considered one of the most important cabinet positions?

A

They deal with foreign affairs

25
Q

What are the steps in the process of electing the president?

A

National convention (declare candidates) and electoral college 

26
Q

What is a primary

A

a vote within a party

27
Q

how are votes in the electoral college determined? how many are needed to win an election?

A

-Number of house of representative seats plus senate seats
-270 votes needed 

28
Q

Why is the electoral college criticized?

A

You can win the popular vote, but not become president

29
Q

give two examples of how the executive branch checks the legislative branch

A

-can sign bills into law
-veto power

30
Q

give two examples of how the legislative branch checks the executive branch

A

-impeachment
-approving presidential appointments

31
Q

significance of Marbury v. Maryland

A

established judicial review

32
Q

significance of McCulloch v. Maryland

A

supremacy clause justified by necessary and proper clause

33
Q

significance of Gibbons v. Ogden

A

interstate commerce is in the hands of Congress (supremacy clause)

34
Q

why was john marshal so important in the development of the supreme court/judicial branch

A

invented judicial review, made supremacy clause

35
Q

what types of cases does the supreme court normally hear

A

cases regarding constitutional issues (they hear cases appealed from lower courts)

36
Q

what is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?

A

original: where cases are heard for the first time
appellate: cases heard on appeal 

37
Q

Why do we have a dual court system in the US

A

To uphold federal laws and state laws

38
Q

What are the three levels of courts at both state and federal level?

A

State: city court, appeals court, state Supreme Court

Federal: District Court, appeals court, supreme court 

39
Q

What is the supremacy clause?

A

Federal law has supremacy over state law

40
Q

Significance of governor in AZ government

A

chief executive of Arizona 

41
Q

significance of Secretary of State in AZ government

A

Official record keeper and handles elections

42
Q

Significance of attorney general in AZ government

A

Chief lawyer

43
Q

significance of treasurer in AZ government

A

In charge of all fiscal (money)

44
Q

What is an initiative?

A

A law proposed by citizens 

45
Q

What is a referendum?

A

a law referred to the citizens from legislators 

46
Q

What is a recall?

A

Citizens can remove a politician from Office

47
Q

Why were the initiative, referendum, and recall processes created when Arizona become a state?

A

they give citizens more power over Arizona government 

48
Q

How does Arizona’s legislator differ from the US legislator from a representation standpoint?

A

Arizona house of representatives is based off of equal representation (not proportional representation)

49
Q

Who runs county governments?

A

Board of supervisors

50
Q

What is the title given to the top law enforcement officer in a county?

A

Sheriff

51
Q

What is the top position in city government?

A

Mayor

52
Q

what is the number one type of city government?

A

Council manager 

53
Q

Who is the only directly elected members in government?

A

Congress

54
Q

What is the elastic clause?

A

Necessary and proper clause

55
Q

When can you use the necessary and proper clause?

A

when it is good for the general welfare of the country 

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