System of Government Flashcards
Name thethreebranches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial
Congress, president, and the courts
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
What part of the federal government writes laws?
(U.S.) Congress
(U.S. or national) legislature
Legislative branch
What are thetwoparts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House (of Representatives)
Nameonepower of the U.S. Congress.
Writes laws
Declares war
Makes the federal budget
How many U.S. senators are there?
One hundred (100)
How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Six (6) years
Who isoneof your state’s U.S. senators now?
Ron Wyden
Jeff Merkley
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
How many senators does each state have?
Two (2)
Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation (for small states) The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Name your U.S. representative.
Suzanne Bonamici
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi
Who does a U.S. senator represent?
Citizens of their state
People of their state
Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens from their state
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens in their (congressional) district
Citizens in their district
People from their (congressional) district
People in their district
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their (congressional) district
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
(Because of) the state’s population
(Because) they have more people
(Because) some states have more people
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
Four (4) years
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
(Because of) the 22nd Amendment
To keep the president from becoming too powerful
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Joe Biden
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Kamala Harris
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice President (of the United States)
Nameonepower of the president.
Signs bills into law
Vetoes bills
Enforces laws
Commander in Chief (of the military)
Chief diplomat
Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President (of the United States)
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President (of the United States)
Who vetoes bills?
The President (of the United States)
Who appoints federal judges?
The President (of the United States)
The executive branch has many parts. Nameone.
President (of the United States)
Cabinet
Federal departments and agencies
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President (of the United States)
What aretwoCabinet-level positions?
Attorney General Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Defense Secretary of Education Secretary of Energy Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Labor Secretary of State Secretary of Transportation Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Veterans Affairs Vice President (of the United States)
Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president.
It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
What is one part of the judicial branch?
Supreme Court
Federal Courts
What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews laws
Explains laws
Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
Nine (9)
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five (5)
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
(For) life
Lifetime appointment
(Until) retirement
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent (of politics)
To limit outside (political) influence
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
Nameonepower that is only for the federal government.
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
Print paper money Mint coins Declare war Create an army Make treaties Set foreign policy
Nameonepower that is only for the states.
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
Provide schooling and education Provide protection (police) Provide safety (fire departments) Give a driver’s license Approve zoning and land use
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
(It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Who is the governor of your state now?
Kate Brown
What is the capital of your state?
Salem
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances
separation of powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and House (of Representatives)
(U.S. or national) legislature
In what month do we vote for President?
November
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
explains laws
resolves disputes (disagreements)
decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What is the political party of the President now?
Democratic
