History: The Constitution Flashcards
What part of the Constitution lists the six goals and states that the people of the U.S. are the authority for the Constitution?
The Preamble.
To which branch of government does the Constitution give the power to make laws?
The legislative branch.
A member of the U.S. House of Representatives serves a ___ term.
two-year
How is the number of representatives from the 50 states that serve in the House decided upon?
By the population of the state.
How many states were needed to approve the U.S. Constitution?
9.
How many senators are elected from each state?
Two.
What is the number of years in a term of office for a senator?
Six years.
Who presides over the Senate?
The Vice-President of the U.S.
Where must all revenue bills begin?
In the House of Representatives.
How can Congress override a Presidential veto of a bill?
By 2/3’s of a vote in both houses.
What is one thing the federal government is forbidden to do?
Grant titles of nobility.
What is one power that is denied to the states?
Make treaties with other countries.
Who has the power to enforce the laws?
The House.
How long is the term of office for the President?
Four years.
The Electoral College meets to ___________
vote for the President.
How long must a person be a citizen of the U.S. in order to run for President?
20 years.
Who is next in line for the presidency AFTER the vice-president?
The president pro-tempore.
Who has the power to command all of the armed forces of the U.S.?
The President.
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
The Bill of Rights.
Which amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press?
The First Amendment.
When a tie among electoral votes occurs, the _____ decides the winner of the presidency.
Senate
According to Amendment XXII (22nd), how many terms of office may a President serve?
Two.
According to Amendment XXVI (26th), how old must a U.S. citizen be in order to vote?
18.
If not born here, what process must a person go through to become a United States citizen?
Naturalization.
Who elects the United States Senators?
The U.S. people.
How many times does Congress have to be in session each year?
1.
How often can the number of representatives from each state change?
They can’t change.
At what age do you qualify to run for U.S. Senate?
30.
At what age do you qualify to run for a U.S. Representative?
25.
Where did the delegates meet to write the U.S. Constitution?
Philiadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The United States prohibits _______ under Amendment XVII (17th)?
alcohol
If a foreign citizen wants to sue a state, where must that trail occur?
The Supreme Court.
How many electoral votes did Washington, D.C. get with the 23rd Amendment?
3.
How many Amendments have been nullified?
3.
How many total members of Congress are there?
435.
How many senators make up the Senate?
100.
How many members are in the Supreme Court?
9.
The Vice-President is president of the Senate but only votes ___________.
when there is a tie
What vote of the states is needed to approve an amendment?
2/3’s.
The ____ says that the federal government is superior over state governments.
Supremacy Clause
The idea of sharing powers between the state and federal governments is known as ____.
federalism
Powers given to Congress are called ____ powers.
reserved
Powers given to the States are called ____ powers.
delegated
Powers shared by federal and state governments are called ____.
balanced
Which is an example of a reserved power?
Establishing schools.
Which is an example of a concurrent power?
Building roads.
If the president doesn’t act on a bill within ten days, what could happen to that bill?
A pocket veto.
Supreme Court members serve for a lifetime
True
The President must sign all bills before they can become laws.
False
All bills must be passed by both House and Senate before being sent to the President.
True
The Preamble is a way to change the Constitution.
False
The states have the right to coin money.
False
A foreign born citizen who becomes an American citizen may become President.
False
There have been 27 Amendments to the Constitution.
True
A bill can alson become a law without the President’s signature.
True
To become President, it takes the majority of the electoral votes.
True
The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in America.
True
The Constitution and its amendments guarantee rights to you and every other American citizen.
True
The Legislative Branch is the law making branch.
True
The Executive Branch can find a law unconstitutional.
False
All citizens have the right to a speedy, fair, and public trial.
True
When someone is tried for the same crime more than once, it is known as an unreasonably severe punishment.
False
The Articles of Confederation was America’s first constitution.
True
The opening date for Congress is January 1st.
False
A U.S. Senator can also be a Supreme Court Justice.
False
The leader of the Senate, if the Vice-President can’t lead, is called the President Pro-Tempore.
True
A trial must be held in the state the crime was commited.
False
Voting Day is the first of May after the first Tuesday in November.
False
Congress can pass an ex post facto law.
False
Supreme Court justices have to have been lawyers previously.
False
Congress has the power to make all laws necessary and proper for the good of the government.
True
As an American citizen you have the duty to serve on a jury if asked.
True
As an American citizen you have the responsibility to vote responsibly.
False
Members are elected to serve two years.
House of Representatives
Members are elected to serve six years.
Senate
Members’ salaries cannot be raised or lowered during their term.
Congress
The presiding officer (the one in charge) is called the Speaker.
Senate
There are two members from each state in this body.
Senate
All revenue (money/tax) bills start here.
House of Representatives
A member can serve an unlimited amount of terms.
Senate
The Vice-President is the president of this legislative branch.
Senate
This body can override the President’s veto by a 2/3’s vote.
Congress
Has power of impeachment.
House of Representatives
Has power to try impeachment cases.
Senate
