Semester 1 Exam (multiple Choice) Flashcards
What year was the constitution written
Written in 1787 took affect in 1788
What is the separation of powers
Assigns law making, law enforcing, and law interpreting to separate the branches of government
What was the original plan for how the president and vice president were selected
The person with the most votes is president and the person with the second most votes is vice president
What were the federalist papers
85 federalist papers which pushed to get the constitution ratified.
Main arguments of Brutus 1
The size of the us was too large for a strong and efficient government
What is federalism
Division of power between state and national government
dual federalism
National and state government are clearly separated (layer cake)
cooperative federalism
National and state government work together on forgiven policy (marble cake)
What are enumerated powers
Powers given to the national government that are listed in the constitution
Necessary and proper clause
Gives congress the rights to execute its powers
Commerce clause
Only congress can regulate commerce with other countries amongst several states
Fiscal federalism
The use of grants in aid to influence policy’s in states
How many senators are there
100
How many senators per state
2
How long is demerits term of office
6 years
How many house members are there
435
How many house members per state
Depends on population
How long is house members term of office
2 years
Who is the speaker of the house
mike Johnson
Senete majority leader
John thune
Chief justice of Supreme Court
John Roberts
Main author of Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
New Jersey plan
One chamber legislative, equal number of votes per state
Virginia plan
The legislative branch would have two houses, both decided by population of each state
Great compromise
Two chambers of congress, one based on population, the other had equal representation of all states
Under the electoral college, how many votes per state for president
Same as the sum of representatives + senators
Which clause speaks when state and National laws conflict
Supremacy clause
What year was constitution written
1787
What happens if no candidate revives a majority of electoral votes
House will choose the president
Original plan for how president and vice president were elected
Person with most votes in president, person with second most is vice president
How long is federal judges term and why
Lifetime due to separation of powers and to prevent influence from other branches
How are federal judges appointed
Appointed by president, confirmed by senate
What compromise was made reguardinv slavery in order to ratify the constitution
Three fifths compromise
What is the three fifths compromise
A slave counted as 3/5 of a person, fugitive slaves had to be returned. Slave trade cannot be illuminated for at least 20 years.
What are you called if your support the constitution and why did they support
You’re called a federalist, and they supported because they felt the government was too weak
Antifederalists
Opposed the constitution because they felt government is too strong and states would loose rights
Federalist papers
85 of them which pushed to get the constitution ratified
Federalist 10
Proposed government, it is not likely to be dominated by a faction
Federalist 51
Checks and balances and separation of powers would prevent Tyranny
Federalist 70
Stated that a single executive is best because it allows for decisive decision making
Federalist 78
Judiciary is the least dangerous branch. It has neither force, nor will only judgment.
Brutus 1
The size of the US was too large for a strong and efficient central government
What was added to ensure the ratification of the constitution
Bill of rights
What supreme court case established the principle of judicial review
Marbury vs Madison
Federalism
Division of power between state and national government
Dual federalism
National and state government are clearly separated (Layer cake)
Cooperative federalism
National and state government work together on foreign policy (marble cake)
Enumerated powers
Powers that are given to the national government that are listed in the constitution
Necessary and proper clause
Gives Congress the authority to legislate as it sees fit and to carry out constituency powers
Commerce clause
Only Congress can regulate commerce with other countries amongst several states and Indian tribes
Selective incorporation
Applies Bill of Rights to states on a case by case basis
Grants in aid
Money given from one level of government to another
Fiscal federalism
Federal government uses grants in aid to influence policys in the states
What was decided in the supreme court case of United States vsLopez?
Limits the national governments ability to regulate behavior based on the commerce clause this strengthened the state government compared to national government
What was decided in the Supreme Court case of McCulloch vsMaryland
National bank is constitutional under the supremacy clause. state cannot tax national bank, and strengthend the powers of the national government
10th amendment
Any power is not specifically given to the national government or denied to the states go to the states
What is the role of both house and senate regarding impeachment?
The president can be impeached by majority in the house and trial in senate with 2/3 votes needed
Descriptive representation
A belief that constitutes are more effectively represented by legislators that are similar to them and things like race or ethnicity
Why does congress usecommittees
Divide and conquer, allows Congress to become experts in key cases
Standing committee
Permanent congressional committee that specializes in a particular area
Committee chair
Head of committee, sets agenda for committee, and they’re from majority party
What is a select committee and when are they used
Temporary committee created for a specific purpose and disbanded after that purpose is fulfilled
Names of the roles of leaders in the house and senate
Speaker of the house, head of the house, majority leader is most powerful in senate
What constitutional amendment changes the method in which senators are selected and how did this happen?
17th amendment in 1913 before that senators were appointed, and the house is always been elected
What is reapportionment and when does it occur?
Districts are re-drawn based on Changes in population, this occurs after each census
Gerrymandering
Uses redistricting to benefit a specific interest or a group of voters
What is an incumbent and what is their advantage?
A current office holder they have better name, recognition usually more money on hand, then challengers and franking privilege which means they can send mail for free
What is filibuster and cloture
Unlimited debate to prevent a vote in the senate. you can get around filibuster by using cloture there are 60 votes for cloture
Divided government
When a party controls the presidency of both chambers of Congress split
Budget setting progress
Created by a president approved by both chambers of Congress
Mandatory spending
Must be included in budget. Congress does not need to approve every year. (Medicare)
Discretionary spending
Items like education, which must be voted on every year
Budget surplus
When government collects more money in taxes than it spends in one year
What is deflect?
National government spends more money than it collects in taxes in one year
Bipartisanship
When the two political parties work together to pass legislation
How many articles are there in the constitution?
7
How many amendments are in the constitution?
27
Who has to approve for a bill to become law
The house and senate
Delegate roll
When a Member of congress votes based off majority of other constituents want
Trustee roll
When a member of Congress makes decisions using knowledge and judgment
What was decided in Baker vs Carr
State legislative districts and population districts have to be almost equal population under the 14th Amendment
What was decided in Shaw vs Reno?
Race cannot be the only factor on how a congressional district is drawn
Requirements to become a president
At least 35 years old, a natural born citizen, and lived in the US for the past 14 years
What do we do if there is a vacancy in the role of the vice president?
The president picks a new vice president, and both chambers of Congress have to approve under the 25th amendment
What role does the president have in the legislative process
President become increasingly active in all stages of the legislative process
How long can a president serve in office total?
Two-year terms and max of 10 years under the 22nd amendment
What are the main reasons that someone running for president may consider choosing their running mate as vice president
Appeal to specific geographic region, or a different strength than present
Executive privilege
All right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts, confidential, especially from Congress
What’s the process in order to become a cabinet member?
Appointed by President, and confirmed by senate
Role of chief executive
Overseas federal bureaucracy
State of the Union address
Annual speech from president to Congress updating that branch on state and national affairs
Executive orders
A presidential directive that creates or modifies a law without Congress is approval
Role of committee chief
Head of the military chain and can give military directives, but only Congress can declare war
How many cabinet departments exist and how are they created
There are 15 and they are created by an act of congress
Civil service
Make sure most government jobs are filled based on merit, not hired or fired based off politics
Iron triangle
Relationship between beauaucracy, congress, and interest groups to join forces to create policies
Deregulation
Beaucratic reform where government reduces its role as regulator of business
Oversight
Congress making sure laws are being carried out as intended for investigation (main thing congress does)
The terms for commissioners and reasons
Reset times to provide more insulation for politics
Political parsonage
Giving mostly cabinet positions as reasons for loyalty
Hatch act and why it was created
It tries to prevent federal workers from engaging in politics
How many US district in a pill and circuit courts are there?
94 district courts 13 circuit courts each state has at least one District Court, no District Court covers more than one state
Appellate jurisdiction
Hearing a case that is already been heard
Judicial restraint
When a judge is hesitant to overturn, previous presidents or existing laws
Judicial activism
Judges, interpret existing laws and presidents, loosely and intersect their opinions in actions.
Majority opinion
Opinion that the most judges have it becomes binding opinion and precinent for others
Concurring opinion
Agree with the result, but for a different reason
Dissenting opinion
Disagree with majority
How are federal judges, appointments part of presidents legacy?
What time is day of president a chance since their term is lifetime to have a lasting impact for judicial appointment since their term is lifetime
Chief justice
Direct Supreme Court conferences
Solicitor general
Represents the US (federal government)
Amicus curiae briefs
Briefs filled in case by someone who is not in a party, but they have interest in it
(Interest groups)
Senatorial courtesy
District in appeals court, nominees, must be acceptable in home state senator from presidents party
Precedent (stare decisis)
Name of judicial ruling that serves as bases for the ruling in another case
What constitutional amendment changes the method in which senators were selected and how did it happen?
The 17th amendment in 1913, before that sounders were pointed. A house is always been elected
Main author of the declaration of independence
Thomas Jefferson
What was the main purpose of the declaration of independence?
People greed to government to protect our nature, is going to remove leaders who violate these rights
Weaknesses of articles of confederation
National gov could not tax, no independent leadership position, government could not regulate interstate and foreign commerce
How are votes determined in the articles of confederation and how many votes are needed an important issues?
Every state has one voted, 9/13 votes needed
How long of a term do federal judges serve and why?
Lifetime do the separation of powers, and to prevent influence from other branches
How are federal judges appointed?
Appointed by President confirmed by senate
