The Constitution - Separation of Powers

Question 1

Powers of House

Answer 1

1. Impeachment
2. Elect the president if no candidate has over 50% of ECVs
3. Begin consideration of all money bills

Question 2

Powers of President

Answer 2

1. Commander in chief

2. Veto legislation

Question 3

Powers of the Supreme Court

Answer 3

1. Role of umpire of the Constitution in all cases

Question 4

Powers of the Senate

Answer 4

1. Try an impeachment case
2. Confirm executive appointments
3. Ratify treaties

Question 5

Arguments against the separation of powers

Answer 5

1. Gridlock

2. Weaker parties

Question 6

Arguments in favour of the separation of powers

Answer 6

1. Legislation is a product of compromise
2. Separated judiciary keeps effective check on other branches
3. Safeguard against Tyranny

Question 7

Example of the House’s power of impeachment

Answer 7

Bill Clinton 1998

Question 8

Example of house electing the President

Answer 8

1800 and 1824 when both candidates

Question 9

Example of the Senate trying an impeachment case

Answer 9

Clinton survived impeachment in 1998 due to strong performance of the Democrats

Question 10

Example of Senate confirming executive appointments

Answer 10

The failure of the Senate to vote on Obama’s nomination of Garland to the SC in 2016, allowed Trump to nominate Gorsuch and influence the ideological balance of the court

Question 11

Example of Senate ratifying treaties

Answer 11

Obama achieved ratification of the START treaty in 2012.

The Senate rejected Obama’s treaty in 2012 on disabled rights

Question 12

Arguments for the Senate being more prestigious than the House

Answer 12

1. Senators represent the entire state
   House members represent only a congressional district
2. Senators enjoy a 6 year term
   House members have just 2 year terms
3. Senators are more likely to be President
4. Senators are more likely to obtain a leadership position as there’s only 100 of them

Question 13

Example of Senators representing an entire state vs House member just a district

Answer 13

1. Feinstein represents the entire state of California

2. Vs. Schliff represents just the 28th Congressional district of California

Question 14

Example that powers are separate

Answer 14

Jeff Sessions had to resign from the Senate when Trump made him Attorney general