Structure of the US Government

Question 1

The Powers of Congress

Answer 1

Tax citizens, set the budget, regulate commerce, declare war, provide advice and consent on appointments, impeach individuals, and oversee the powers of the judicial and executive branches.

Question 2

Implied Power

Answer 2

A power not expressly defined in the constitution but permitted to congress

Question 3

Veto Power

Answer 3

The power of a president to reject a law passed by congress

Question 4

“Power of the purse”

Answer 4

the control over the spending of money by a government

Question 5

Interstate Commerce Clause

Answer 5

one of the enumerated (express) powers of congress; this is the power to regulate commerce and trade between two or more states.

Question 6

What is the power of advice and consent?

Answer 6

a constitutional power, stating that presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the senate. Also, foreign treaties become official only when the senate approves them by a two thirds vote.

Question 7

Conference Committee

Answer 7

a type of joint committee whose job it is to form one unified bill from a different versions of the same piece of legislation passed by the house of representatives and the senate to be sent to the president.

Question 8

Gerrymandering

Answer 8

this the manipulation of political advantage by redrawing electoral districts, producing districts biased in favor of one particular political party.

Question 9

12th amendment

Answer 9

Pairs presidential candidate with running mate on a ticket.

Question 10

22nd Amendment

Answer 10

Term limits for the president

Question 11

Executive Orders

Answer 11

A written directive to a government agency issued by a president in order to manage the operations of the federal government, often in the absence of congressional action. They can be subject to challenge through the federal courts.

Question 12

Executive Agreement

Answer 12

Formal accords between leaders of countries that do not need to be confirmed by legislative bodies.

Question 13

Recess appointment

Answer 13

An appointment of a federal official by the president at a time when the senate is not in session and is therefore unable to confirm appointments.

Question 14

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 14

a case is heard for the first time

Question 15

Appellate jurisdiction

Answer 15

a court hears a case on appeal from a lower court and may change the lower court’s decision.

Question 16

Judicial Review

Answer 16

a principle that courts have the power to overturn laws passed by congress and even actions of the president if such laws or actions conflict with the constitution.

Question 17

Judicial Activism

Answer 17

A viewpoint that US courts should defend individual rights and liberties and stop actions by other branches of government that they see as infringing on those rights

Question 18

Criminal court case

Answer 18

Establishes rules and punishment, to prohibit harm to others, does harm to society, state presses charges, case will state the name of accused and the government, misdemeanors are lesser crimes, and felonies are major crimes.

Question 19

Civil court case

Answer 19

Involve two or more private parties, can be individuals and/or corporations, one must allege harm or injury by another, and case will state the names of the two private parties.

Question 20

Reserved Powers

Answer 20

Any powers not prohibited by the constitution or delegated to the national government; powers reserve to the states and denied to the federal government as outlined in the 10TH AMENDMENT

Question 21

10th Amendment

Answer 21

The reason why each state has its own health and safety rules and even its own marriage and divorce laws.

Question 22

Supremacy Clause

Answer 22

Regulates relationship between the federal and state governments by declaring that the constitution and federal law are the supreme law of the land.

Question 23

Commerce Clause

Answer 23

one of the enumerated (express) powers of congress, allowing for regulation of commerce and trade between two or more states and foreign nations.

Question 24

Marbury v Madison

Answer 24

Its power of judicial review

Question 25

what is the purpose of executive aggreements?

Answer 25

to establish aggreements with foreign countries without congressional approval

Question 26

Gibbons v Ogden

Answer 26

commerce clause