gov test 1

Question 1

what are the informal ways of changing the constitution

Answer 1

basic legislation, executive action, court decisions, party practices, and custom & usage

Question 2

how is the constitution changed through basic legislation

Answer 2

this is when congress expands the constitution

Question 3

how does the constitution change through executive action

Answer 3

this is the way the president changes the constitution by doing things the constitution doesn’t directly say they can do

Question 4

how does the constitution change through court decisions

Answer 4

the court interprets and applies the constitution in many cases

Question 5

how does the constitution change through party practices

Answer 5

the constitution says nothing about parties yet our government is run by political parties

Question 6

how does the constitution change through custom and usage

Answer 6

unwritten customs can be as strong as the written laws, so unwritten customs can be applied even if they’re not in the constitution

Question 7

what happens if the president dies or is impeached?

Answer 7

the vice president will take over, and if the vice president can’t, there is a line of people who will take over.

Question 8

what is congressional oversight?

Answer 8

it is the power of the US congress to monitor and change the actions of the executive branch

Question 9

what are the two formal amendment methods?

Answer 9

1. Proposed by congress by a 2/3 vote in each house

2. Proposed at a national convention called by congress when requested by 2/3 of the state legislatures