The Constitution Flashcards
how often are representatives elected?
every other year
how old must a representative be
25
how long is the term for a senator
6 years
how were senators originally chosen? what amendment changed that?
originally by state legislators
changed to direct election by 17th amendment
how old does someone have to be to be a senator
at least 30
who is the president of the senate and when may that person vote
the vice president
they should not vote unless there is a tie
what legislative body has the power of impeachment and which body has the power to try an impeached official
senate for both
who shall officiate when the president is tried for impeachment
chief justice
what is the required vote necessary to convict someone who has been impeached
two thirds of senate
what is the only penalty that can be impoased on someone who is impeached
removal from office and disqualification from holding future office
who decides the times, places, and manner for holding elections for congress
state legislatures
in what federal body do all bills concerning taxes and revenue originate
house of representatives
what fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto
two thirds of both houses
what happens when a president does not return a bill in 10 days and what is the exception
bill will automatically be passed unless congress being adjourned made it impossible to return
list 6 powers of congress
enact taxes
regulate commerce with other countries
coin money
establish post offices
declare war
raise and support armies
what clause in section 8 gives congress the most general nonspecific powers
necessary and proper clause
definition of writ of habeaus corpus
requiring someone imprisoned to be brought to court to determine if their imprisonment was justified
definition of bills of attainder
legislature that declares someone guilty of a crime without requiring a trial
ex post facto definition
punishing someone retroactively for something that was previously legal
limitations on congress in section 9
can’t suspend writ of habeus corpus unless there is rebellion or it is required for public safety
no bills of attainder
no bills ex post facto
when can writ of habeus corpus be suspended
when there is rebellion or when its suspension is required for public safety
three limits on powers of states
cant enter treaties or alliances
can’t coin money
can’t engage in war unless invaded or in imminent danger
how old does someone have to be to be president
35
how is it determined how many electors each state has
equal to number of senators and representatives
3 powers of president
power to grant pardons for criminal offences
power to make treaties
power to appoint supreme court judges
body of congress that must approve treaties that the president has negotiated and the fraction of the vote they must approve it by
senate, two thirds
what body of congress approves nominations by the president
senate
what can a president or other officers be impeached for
treason, bribery, other high crimes and misdemeanors
what is the term of office for supreme court justices? when can they be removed?
for life
can be removed if violate good behavior
who gets to decide how many federal courts we have
congress
when does supreme court have original jurisdiction
cases involving ambassadors, public ministers and consuls, and cases directly involving states
what must be necessary to convict someone of treason
must have engaged in war against US or have given aid or comfort to enemies of the US
two witnesses must testify on sae act
topic of article IV
relations among the states
what does the constitution say about how one state must regard the laws of another state?
states must return people who committed a crime in one state and escaped to their state to the state in which they were charged
privileges and immunities for citizens definition
fundamental rights of citizens that states are not allowed to limit
limitation on admitting new states to the union
can’t be formed within other states or by the union of multiple states without their governments’ consent
what fraction of the houses of congress is necessary to approve a proposed amendment
two thirds of both houses
what fraction of states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified
three fourths of states
what fraction of states can ask for a convention to propose new amendments?
two thirds of states
what is the only limitation in the constitution as to what can be the basis of an amendment
can’t take away states’ amount of representation in the senate without their consent
what does the constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between federal and state laws
federal law has supremacy
what qualification for holding any public office is forbidden
religious tests
how many states had to ratify the constitution for it to become law
nine out of thirteen
