Test 3

Question 1

Filibuster

Answer 1

preventing a vote on a bill

Question 2

Legal Standing

Answer 2

a legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit

Question 3

Congressional Caucus

Answer 3

a group of members of the United States Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives

Question 4

Class Action Suit

Answer 4

a case brought by someone to help both him-or herself and all others who are similarly situated

Question 5

Gerrymandering

Answer 5

drawing districts for political advantage

Question 6

Rider

Answer 6

an add-on to a bill unlikely to pass on its own merit

Question 7

Pork Bill

Answer 7

legislation benefiting on congressman’s district

Question 8

Malaportionment

Answer 8

separate districts with large differences in population size, larger districts would be disadvantaged

Question 9

Cloture Motion

Answer 9

vote to end debate, ends a filibuster

requires 3/5 (60) senate votes

Question 10

Stare Decisis

Answer 10

“let the decision stand”; allowing prior rulings to control a current case

Question 11

Quorum

Answer 11

minimum number necessary to vote on a bill, needs to be a majority

house: 218 votes
senate: 51 votes

Question 12

Pocket Veto

Answer 12

a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourns

Question 13

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 13

an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review

Question 14

Criminal Case

Answer 14

a type of court proceeding in which a prosecutor employed by the federal, state, or local government charges a person with the commission of a crime

Question 15

Censure

Answer 15

public humiliation with charges read before one’s peers

Question 16

Civil Case

Answer 16

involves a legal dispute between two or more parties

Question 17

Expulsion

Answer 17

removing a member from office, requires a 2/3 vote

Question 18

Judicial Review

Answer 18

the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Question 19

War Powers Act

Answer 19

president can only deploy the military for 60 days
it must be to defend American lives
the president must inform Congress prior to deployment
Congress may order the withdrawal of military forces

Question 20

25th Amendment

Answer 20

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President

Question 21

Impeachment

Answer 21

charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

Question 22

House Rules Committee

Answer 22

determines the restrictions on debating and amending any one bill

Question 23

Conference Committees

Answer 23

joint committee of senators and representatives that come up with compromise wording late in the process

Question 24

Marbury vs. Madison

Answer 24

a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that established the principle of judicial review, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes they find to violate the Constitution of the United States

Question 25

Electoral College

Answer 25

The people chosen to cast each state’s votes in a presidential election. Each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has. The District of Columbia has three electoral votes, even though it is not a state.

Question 26

Checks and Balances

Answer 26

constitutional ability of multiple branches of government to limit each other’s power

Question 27

US Supreme Court

Answer 27

the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States; it has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that turn on questions of U.S. constitutional or federal law

Question 28

District Courts

Answer 28

the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here

Question 29

Appeals Court

Answer 29

federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials

Question 30

Appellate Jurisdiction

Answer 30

the power of a court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts

Question 31

Original Jurisdiction

Answer 31

a court's authority to hear and decide a case for the first time before any appellate review occurs

Question 32

What are the responsibilities of the House?

Answer 32

originates all tax bills make impeachments (indictment for wrongdoing)

Question 33

What are the responsibilities of the Senate?

Answer 33

remove impeached officials with a 2/3 vote ratify treaties with a 2/3 vote confirm executive appointments with a majority vote

Question 34

What are the powers of the President?

Answer 34

veto bills sign bills enforce the laws that Congress passes act as Commander-in-Chief during a war

Question 35

What are the powers of Congress?

Answer 35

levy taxes and spends money, approves budget regulates commerce raises and supports an army declares war

Question 36

What are the presidential lines of succession?

Answer 36

the order of succession specifies that the office passes to the vice president; if the vice presidency is simultaneously vacant, or if the vice president is also incapacitated, the powers and duties of the presidency pass to the speaker of the House of Representatives, president pro tempore of the Senate, and then Cabinet secretaries, depending on eligibility

Question 37

How does a bill become law?

Answer 37

once a bill is signed by the President or his veto is overridden by both houses (with a 2/3 vote) it becomes a law and is assigned an official number

Question 38

How can you override a veto?

Answer 38

congress can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate

Question 39

What advantages do incumbents have?

Answer 39

name recognition raise more money record of experience

Question 40

Select Committee

Answer 40

meant to be temporary

Question 41

Standing Committee

Answer 41

meant to be permanent

Question 42

Speaker of the House

Answer 42

calls on people to speak determines what is relevant

Question 43

President of the Senate

Answer 43

always the vice president of the U.S. not a powerful position can break ties, otherwise gets no vote

Question 44

President Pro Tempore

Answer 44

sitting senator with voting power calls on people to speak honorary position

Question 45

Party Leaders

Answer 45

chosen by the party in each chamber both a Majority Leader and a Minority Leader goal is to get their party's legislation passed

Question 46

Party Whip

Answer 46

one in each chamber both a Majority Whip and a Minority Whip goal is to get the entire party voting the same way more realistically, they keep track of what their party's vote is

Question 47

23rd Amendment

Answer 47

gave Washington D.C. 3 electors even though they are not a state, so they could vote