Congress

Question 1

Legislative Branch

Answer 1

Makes the Nation’s laws. Composed of Congress (Senate + House of Representatives)

Question 2

Executive Branch

Answer 2

Enforces the laws. Led by the President, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the military (Article II lists their power)

Question 3

Judicial Branch

Answer 3

Interprets the laws. Made up of courts, including the Supreme Court, which ensures laws align w/ the Constitution (judges serve for life, led by Chief Justice)

Question 4

Federal System/Federalism, how does it divide power?

Answer 4

A system dividing power between federal and state governments. Includes delegated, reserved, & concurrent powers

Question 5

What are delegated, reserved, and concurrent powers? Provide examples

Answer 5

• Delegated: federal-only (declare war, print money)
• Reserved: state-only (education, elections)
• Concurrent: shared (taxes, enforcing laws)

Question 6

What’s the Elastic Clause, and why is it important?

Answer 6

Also called the ‘Necessary & Proper Clause’, it gives Congress flexibility to make laws.
(eg, creating the Air Force despite the Constitution only mentioning an army & navy)

Question 7

How is Congress structured, and what are its main roles?

Answer 7

Divided into House of Representatives (435 members, 2-year terms) and Senate (2 per state, 6-year terms)

Question 8

What are the requirements to become a U.S. Representative or Senator?

Answer 8

Rep: 25+ years old, 7+ years a citizen, live in elected state
Senator: 30+ years old, 9+ years a citizen, live in state represented

Question 9

What’s the role of the Speaker of the House and the Vice President in the Senate?

Answer 9

Speaker leads the House of Representatives. The VP is President of the Senate but only votes to break ties

Question 10

What powers and responsibilities does the President have?

Answer 10

Head of executive Branch, enforces laws, commands military, can veto (cancel) bills, issue executive orders, grant pardons (freedom from punishment)

Question 11

What are the requirements to become Vice/President?

Answer 11

Natural-born U.S. citizen, 35+ years old, U.S. resident for 14+ years

Question 12

What is the impeachment process, and which presidents have been impeached?

Answer 12

House votes to impeach (accuse of serious crime); trial in Senate. Impeached presidents: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump

Question 13

What’s the difference between majority & minority parties? What act created the lower district & circuit courts?

Answer 13

• Majority Party: The political party that holds more than half the seats in a legislative body, allowing it to control the agenda and leadership positions.
• Minority Party: The political party that holds fewer seats than the majority party, often playing a role in opposition and providing alternative viewpoints.
• The Judiciary Act of 1789

Question 14

When does Congress begin sessions/meetings, what Amendment limits the President to two terms, and how many justices sit on the Supreme Court?

Answer 14

• First week of January each year
• The 22nd Amendment
• Nine justices