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?
the 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?
one hundred (100)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
six (6)
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators
now?
Dianne Feinstein
Alex Padilla
The House of Representatives has how many
voting members?
• four hundred thirty-five (435)
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many
years?
two (2)
Name your U.S. Representative.
Anna G. Eshoo
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
- (because) they have more people
- (because) some states have more people
We elect a President for how many years?
four (4)
In what month do we vote for President?*
• November
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
If both the President and the Vice President
can no longer serve, who becomes
President?
the Speaker of the House
Who is the Commander in Chief of the
military?
the President
Who signs bills to become laws?
the President
Who vetoes bills?
the 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?
Gavin Newsom
What is the capital of your state?*
Sacramento
What are the two major political parties
in the United States?
Democratic and Republican
What is the political party of the President
now?
Democratic
What is the name of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives now?
Nancy Pelosi
