System Of Government Flashcards
Name the three branches 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?
- US Congress
- US or national legislature
- Legislative branch
What are two parts of the US Congress?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
Name one power of the US Congress:
- Writes laws
- Declares war
- Makes the federal budget
How many US senators are there?
100
How long is a term for a US Senator? / We elect a US Senator for how many years?
6 years
Who is one of your states US Senators now?
Patty Murray
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
435
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives? / We elect a US Representative for how many years?
2 years
Why do US representatives serve shorter terms than US Senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
How many senators does each state have?
2
Why does each state have two senators?
- Equal representation for small states
- The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Name your US Representative
Derek Kilmer
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Kevin McCarthy
Who does a US senator represent?
Citizens of their state
Who elects US senators?
Citizens from their state
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
- Citizens in their congressional district
- Citizens in their district
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their (congressional) district
Some states have more representatives that other states. Why? / Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
- 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?
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)
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Speaker of the House
Name one power of the president.
- Signs bills into law
- Vetoes bills
- Enforces laws
- Commander in Chief of the military
- Chief diplomat
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
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. Name one:
- President
- Cabinet
- Federal departments and agencies
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President (of the United States)
What are two Cabinet-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)
What does the judicial branch do?
- reviews laws
- explains laws
- resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
- decides if a law goes against the (US) Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine ( 9 )
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts jr.
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
- Print paper money
- Mint coins
- Declare war
- Create an army
- Make treaties
- Set foreign policy
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. Name one power that is only for the states.
- provide schooling and education
- provide protection (police)
- provide safety (fire departments)
- give a driver’s license
- approve zoning and land use
Who is the Governor of your state now?
Jay Inslee
What is the capital of your state?
Olympia
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
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
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
Name one branch or part of the government.
- Congress
- Legislative
- President
- Executive
- The Courts
- Judicial
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
- US or National Legislature
Who does a US Senator represent?
All people of the state
In what month do we vote for President?
November
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
Nine (9)
What are the **two* major political parties in the United States?
Democratic and Republican
What is the political party of the President now?
Democrat
