Government

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

1. Sharing of power between national and state governments

2. Checks and balances- separation of power

Question 2

Congress

Answer 2

Consists of Senate and House of Representatives

Question 3

House of Representatives

Answer 3

1. Must be 25, citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state you’re representing.
2. All serve for 2 years, no limit on terms, anyone can run no matter their occupation

Question 4

Senate

Answer 4

1. Must be 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, and live in the state you’re representing
2. 6 year term
3. Usually need money and popularity to be elected

Question 5

Purpose of Committees of Congress

Answer 5

1. To divide work of Congress into smaller specialized groups
2. To select bills that will be allowed to move forward
3. To hold public hearings and investigations

Question 6

Who decides committees?

Answer 6

Speaker of the house

Question 7

Committee of Ways and Means

Answer 7

1. Helps president and house of reps to create a budget

2. Members can bring money to whatever district they want, so people vote for whoever will give them money

Question 8

House of Arms/Defense Committee

Answer 8

1. Establish foreign policy

2. Determine what to do in a crisis

Question 9

Ethics Committee

Answer 9

1. Investigate and enforce illegal behavior by Congress

2. Members get to know all the drama

Question 10

Education Committee

Answer 10

Education is a state’s right, so the committee can make promises but doesn’t have much authority.

Question 11

Special Interest Groups/PACs

Answer 11

1. Private citizens who are passionate about a specific political issue
2. Lobbyists are people who work for PACs

Question 12

How a bill becomes a law

Answer 12

1. Present to any member of Congress. If it deals with money, it must go to house of reps
2. Presented to a house of Congress and to a specific committee to be discussed
3. Goes to floor for everyone to talk about it
4. Presented to other house and repeat
5. Goes to president to pass, veto, or pocket veto. Congress can override veto with 2/3 majority.

Question 13

Pocket Veto

Answer 13

President doesn’t do anything with the bill (pass or veto) so the bill is basically vetoed.

Question 14

Pork Barrel

Answer 14

Things added to bills that have nothing to do with it so it will be passed.

Question 15

Filibuster

Answer 15

Way to kill a bill. Keep talking about it until certain reps leave. Can’t sit, eat, drink, or leave.

Question 16

Executive branch

Answer 16

The president

Question 17

Requirements to be president

Answer 17

1. Must be 35 years old, natural born citizen, lived in US for at least 14 years

Question 18

How the presidential election works

Answer 18

1. 2 years in advance- meet with party leadership, raise money, name recognition, decide when to announce.
2. 1 year in advance- travel the country, look for PAC money
3. The primaries- New Hampshire is first. Super Tuesday- 12-14 primaries are held. Bloody Wednesday- people who finish low in the primaries drop out from lack of support and funding. National Conventions- candidates are nominated and choose their vice presidents
4. Debates- most undecided Americans make their decision after this

Question 19

Unwritten Constitution

Answer 19

Major parts of the government that aren’t mentioned in the Constitution.

Question 20

The Cabinet

Answer 20

1. Main role is to advise the president

2. Part of the unwritten constitution

Question 21

The President’s Jobs

Answer 21

1. Commander in Chief- in charge of all parts of the armed forces.
2. Chief Executive- signs bills passed by Congress to make them laws, and is in charge of every government department.
3. Head of State- represents the people of the US when receiving an award, etc.
4. Director of foreign policy- decides how the US works with other countries, visits foreign leaders, signs treaties, etc.

Question 22

Vice President

Answer 22

1. According to the Constitution, the only role of the vp is to stay alive
2. Could technically break ties in the Senate.

Question 23

Supreme Court

Answer 23

1. No requirements

2. Nominated by the president and approved by the Senate

Question 24

How the Supreme Court works

Answer 24

1. Pick how many cases they hear- only deal with cases involving the Constitution