Principles & Legislative Test

Question 1

Federalist 10

Answer 1

by James Madison. Warning of power of factions and competing interests over US gov. Everyone has their own self interest. Large republic helps control factions because there is more representation and more opinions

Question 2

Parts of the Constitution

Answer 2

Preamble- intentions of constitution, summary of the constitution
Article I- establishes the congress
Article II- executive branch (president, vice president and all that)
Article III- legislative branch
Article IV- relationships + limits between states
Article V- how to make amendments
Article VI- national debt
Article VII- ratification (once two thirds of states agree it is ratified)

Question 3

Federalism

Answer 3

system in which power is divided between national, state, and local gov. Each has their own laws. *not to be confused w/ federal gov

Question 4

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 4

authority of gov is based completely upon the consent of the gov- government power is not legit if it doesn’t go with the will of people

Question 5

Checks and balances

Answer 5

each branch of government exercise some control over the others.

Question 6

Consent of the Governed

Answer 6

people agree to the government leaders and power

Question 7

Separation of Powers

Answer 7

multiple branches of gov each with its own responsibilities

Question 8

Limited Government

Answer 8

-constitution limits the actions of the gov by specifically listing

Question 9

Judicial Review

Answer 9

power of the courts to declare laws and actions invalid if they violate the constitution

Question 10

amending powers of government- bill of rights

Answer 10

1. Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, etc.
2. Rights kept by the people
3. Powers not given to the federal government are given to states

Question 11

Direct democracy

Answer 11

all people vote and that’s what it is. So like hey yall should we make this law and then everyone votes their own opinion and then bam there’s the answer or something idk

Question 12

Indirect democracy

Answer 12

parliamentary and representative democracy

Question 13

parliamentary

Answer 13

citizens vote for the legislative body, which selects the leader from within

Question 14

Representative democracy

Answer 14

the US has this so like we vote for representatives. So like yeah; political leader elected by citizens

Question 15

Republicanism

Answer 15

A republican government is one in which the people – directly or indirectly – are the ultimate source of authority, electing representatives to make laws that serve their interests and advance the common good

Question 16

Effectiveness of the Preamble

Answer 16

More seen as a preface not really a part of the constitution. Many people don’t pay attention to it or enforce it. Gives an outline and frame to the constitution. Give the “why” of the constitution and the base of it. This was largely adopted from the declaration of independence and is an extension of it. Also says that the citizens are enacting the constitution. This is something that is made by the people

Question 17

Senate leadership

Answer 17

Vice president= Kamala Harris
President pro tempore=Leahy
Majority (Democrat) leader= Chuck Shumer
Minority (R) leader= Mitch McConell
MN senator= amy klobuchar, tina smith

Question 18

House leadership

Answer 18

Speaker of house=nancy pelosi
Minority (R) leader-Kevin McCarthy
Winona + southern MN representative=Jim Hagedorn

Question 19

constitutional requirements to be a member of senate

Answer 19

9 yrs citizen
Residence in that state
30 yrs old

Question 20

constitutional requirements to be a member of house

Answer 20

7 yrs as citizen
Resident in that state
25 yrs old

Question 21

Congressional redistricting

Answer 21

Congressional representation determined by census
Reapportionment takes place every ten years
Each district MUST have the same population
Racial considerations
Gerrymandering

Question 22

Legislative Process- House

Answer 22

(Introduce a bill, Referred to committee for work, committee vote, full chamber vote, passage by other house, conference committee, signed by president).

• a bill is drafted & introduced on the floor
• a bill is sent to a committee for study, discussion, & review
  - committees are reassigned every congressional term
• calendars list bills to be considered
• “house rules committee” directs legislation to more forward in consideration
  - what else are we doing on this bill? a checkpoint that the bill has met everyone it needs to
  - they have to review every single bill that committees send to them
• quorums must be considered
  - minimum number of members required to be present to allow official action. typically half or more

Question 23

Legislative Process-senate

Answer 23

compared to the house, the senate has a very informal atmosphere
– bill introduced on the senate floor
– senate leadership controls flow of bills to committees
committee revises bill & holds a vote before passing – the bill to the senate for debate