System of Government Flashcards
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?
President
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and House (of Representatives)
(U.S. or national) legislature
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 years
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
Kamala Harris; Dianne Feinstien
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
2
Name your U.S. Representative.
Zoe Lofgren (US #19 Congressional District)
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
all people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
(because of) the state’s population
We elect a President for how many years?
4
In what month do we vote for President?
November
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Donald Trump
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now
Mike Pence (or Michael Pence)
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
VP
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
Speaker of the House
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
President
Who signs bills to become laws?
President
Who vetoes bills?
President
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
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 Attorney General Vice President
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
explains laws
resolves disputes (disagreements)
decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
to print money
to declare war
to create an army
to make treaties
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
Who is the Governor of your state now?
Jerry Brown
What is the capital of your state?
Sacramento
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Republican and Democrats
What is the political party of the President now?
Republicans
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Paul Ryan
