unit 4 Flashcards
What outlines the structure of our government?
The U.S constitution
What is federalism?
the national and state governments have power
Which level of government in our federal system is supreme?
national
What are the primary responsibilites of the national government?
conduct foreign policy regulate commerce provide for the common defense
What is foreign policy?
Our government’s relationship wiht other countries
What is commerce?
trade ( national government regualtes trade between states and with other countries)
What are reseerved powers?
Powers that are set aside for the state governments
Which ammendment created reserved powers?
10th ammendment
What are examples of reserved powers?
licensing, education, promoting public health, safety and welfare
What are concurrent powers?
powers that are shared by both the staes and national governmens (ex.taxation)
What is a federal mandate?
It is when the national government requires action by the state governments often produces tension between the governments
What are the three branches of government?
legislative executive judicial
What does separation of the powers mean?
The governments power is divided between the branches and each branch is given separate and distinct powers.e
What are checks and balances?
The ability of each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.
What is congress?
legistlative branch
What does bicameral mean?
two chambers
What is a legislature?
a law making body
What are the two chambers of congress?
House of representatives and the senate
What is the census?
This counts the citizens in every state and is conducted everu 10 years for the purpose of determining a states representation in the House of Representatives.
The House was meant to represent who?
the people
The Senate represents who?
the states
What is the total number of both the House and Senate?
535
How many members are in the Senate?
100
How many representatives are in the House?
435
How long is a Senate term?
6 years
How long is a House term?
2 years
What are expressed powers
The powers of congress that are sepcifically listen ( written) in the constitution
What are examples of expressed powers
Making laws for the nation approving the annual budget rasing revenue money through taxes fees & fines confirming presdiential appointments regulating interstate and foreign trade declaring war.
What are implimied powers?
These are powers that are not stated in the constitution, but are used to carrty out expressed powers.
What is the main function ( job) of congress?
Making laws
Why are laws created?
In order to fix issues or problems
What are teh baisc steps for how a bill becomes a law?
1 Introduce the bill in either the House or Senate
2. Assign bill to a committee
3.Debated on the floor of the House or Senate ( which one it was introduced in)
4. Vote in the House or Senate ( which one it was introduced in)
5. Sent to the other chamber of congress wehre steps 2-4 are repeated
6. If the bill passees both chambers of Congress it goes to the president who can either sign or veto it ( stop it)
What is lobbying?
Is how individuals or interest groups try to legislators to introduce or cote for or against a particular bill
What is a bill?
a draft of law
How can individuals shape legislation or influence policy making?
voting campaigning or holding public office join an interest group
What do interest groups do?
identify issues of importqance make political contributions ( give money) to political campaigns lobbying.
Who is in charge of running the federeal government uncluding iverseeing the cabinet deopartments executive agencies and regulatory groups
The president
What does the Cabinet do?
Advises the president and helps run the various departments of the federal government (ex: Department of Defense Department of Justice etc.
What is the main job of the executive branch?
enforce the laws carry out the laws execute the laws
What is the presidents role in the lawmaking process?
propose legislation approve or veto legislation carry out the laws by appoitning officials appeal to citizens to support ot reject legislation
What is the presidents role as Cheif of State?
The cermenonial head of the 86government of the United States
What is the presidents role as Cheif Executive?
what is the presidents role as cheif Legislator
What ist he presidents role as commander in Cheif?
What is the presidents role as Cheif diplomat
What is the Cheifs role as Cheif of the Party?
What is the presidents role as
Cheif Citizen
