Unit 2 Flashcards
Which article of the constitution describes congress
1
How long is a term in congress
2 years
What does the great compromise state
Congress should have 2 houses
Houses of representatives-population
Senate-equal representation
How many members are in the House of Representatives
435
How are seats allotted in the House of Representatives
By state population
Every state has at least 1 seat
What is gerrymandering
Increases voting strength
What do representatives in the house focus on
Districts
How many members are in the senate
100
How are seats in the senate allotted
2 members in each state
Elections staggered
How long is a term in senate
6 years
Why are elections for senate staggered
Ensures stability and continuity
Majority party
More than 1/2 of members
Minority party
Less than 1/2
How is the speaker of the house chosen
Majority party chooses the speaker at a closed meeting
Then everyone approves the speaker
The presiding officer in senate is also known as
The “Vice President” of the US
President of the senate
The chairperson of the senate is also known as
President pro tempore
What do floor leaders do
Ensure that laws passed by congress are in the best interest of their own party
Why are committees used in congress
So many bills are introduced yearly
What are standing committees
Permanent committees work session to session
What are select committees
They do a special job for a limited period
What are joint committees
Review economic conditions and recommends improvements in economic policy
What is a conference committee
Helps house and senate agree on details of proposed laws
Who makes committee assignments
Leaders of political parties
What are expressed powers
tells congress their powers
What are implied powers
Laws not written in the constitution
What is the elastic clause
Congress can stretch powers
What are the legislative powers of congress
Make laws
Pass laws
Enact laws
Raise and spend money
Why must all tax bills start in the house
Members of congress are closer to the people
What are the non legislative powers of congress
Propose amendments
Count electoral votes
Check branches
What does impeach mean
Accuse officials of misconduct in office
What are the powers denied to congress
Can’t pass laws that ban freedom of speech/religion
Favor states
Tax interstate commerce
Tax exports
Pass laws that punish a person without a jury trial
What are the requirements for becoming a senator
At least 30
Live in the state you want to represent
Be a US citizen for at least 9 years
How old do you have to be to become a senator
At least 30
To become a senator how long must you have be a US citizen for
At least 9 years
What are the requirements for becoming a representative
At least 25 years old
Live in the represented state
Be a US citizen for at least 7 years
How old do you have to be to become a representative
At least 25
How long must you be a citizen for before becoming a representative
At least 7 years
What does a lobbyist do
Influences the government decision makers
What is casework
People from the Congress’s home district or state that request with help from the federal government
What are pork barrel projects
Government projects or grants that benefit a home district or state
What is a joint resolution
Used to propose amendments
Designate money for a special purpose correct errors in passed bills
What is a filibuster
To talk a bill to death
What is cloture
No one can speak for more than an hour
What are the qualifications for becoming president
At least 35
Native born american citizen
US resident for at least 14 years
How is the president formally elected
Electoral college
Electors vote for major candidate
Win at least 270/538 votes
Winner take all
How many votes must a candidate win to become president
270/538
How many years is a presidential term
4 years
What are the benefits of becoming president
$400,000 salary Private theater Gym Bowling alley Heated pool Camp David Transportation
What is the purpose of the 25th amendment
Tells who leads after the president dies
What are the constitutional powers given to the president
Veto/reject bills passed by Congress
call Congress into special session
Commander-in-chief
Receive leaders and other officials of foreign countries
Appoint heads of executive agencies federal court judges
ambassadors
Pardon/reduce penalties against people convicted of federal crimes
What are the seven roles of the president
Chief executive Chief diplomat Commander and chief Legislative leader Head of state Economic leader Party leader
What is the basic of American foreign-policy
National security-keep the country safe
What are the tools of foreign-policy
Creating treaties Appointing ambassadors Directing foreign aid International trade Military forces
What are the executive departments
White House office Office of Management and Budget National Security Council Office of administration Council of economic advisers
What is the role of the White House office
Work Directly for the president
Screens information and people trying to contact the president
Does the office management and budget department do
Prepares the federal budget and monitors spending
What does the national Security Council do
Helps president coordinate military and foreign policy
Deals with safety and security
Supervises the CIA
What does the office of administration do
Provides administrative services to executive offices of the president
Helps people seek records under the freedom of information act
What are the responsibilities of cabinet members
Secretaries advise the president on issues related to their departments
Make important policy decisions
What does the federal bureaucracy do
Make rules and procedures to put the laws into practice
Preform Services for the government
Regulate activities
What is jurisdiction
Courts authority to hear and decide cases
What types of cases are heard in federal courts
Cases involving the Constitution
Violations of federal laws
Controversies between states
Disputes between parties from different states
Suits involving federal government
Cases involving foreign governments and treaties
Cases based on Admirality in maritime laws
Cases involving US diplomats
What is exclusive jurisdiction
Only these cords can hear and decide cases
What is concurrent jurisdiction
State and federal courts share jurisdiction
How are federal courts organized
District
Courts of Appeals
Supreme Court
What is original jurisdiction
Authority to hear cases for the first time
What does it mean to Remand a case
Send the case back to lower court to be tried again
What is a precedent
Judges use a similar previous case to base their decisions off of
How many justices are at each of the three levels of the court system
District: over 550
Appeals: 6-27
Supreme: 9
How are federal judges selected
Pres. appoints judges with senate approval
What does a magistrate do
Issues court orders
Hears preliminary evidence and minor cases
What do United States attorneys do
Prosecute people that break federal laws
Prepare formal charges
Present evidence in court
What do United States marshals do
Make arrests
Collect fines
Take People to prison
What is judicial review
Power to say federal state or local law or government action goes against the Constitution
Court can nullify
How can the president check the power of the Supreme Court
The Pres. appoints the Supreme Court justices
How do you cases reach the Supreme Court
Justices make a list of interesting cases
Then they review them
If excepted it goes on the docket
What two types of cases have original jurisdiction in the Supreme Court
Cases involving representatives of foreign governments and if a state is a party
What is a docket
Calendar
What are the steps in the decision-making process of the Supreme Court
Written arguments Oral arguments Conference Opinion writing Announcement
What are the reasons why justices make the decisions they do
Law
Society
Legal views
Personal beliefs
