U.S. Constitution Flashcards

The basics you should know about the U.S. Constitution. This is just part of Brainscape's overall U.S. Government Crash Course.

1
Q

What are the 3 branches of government?

A
  1. legislative
  2. executive
  3. judicial
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2
Q

What are the requirements to become a member of the House of Representatives?

A

Must:

  1. be ≥ 25 years old
  2. be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 7 years
  3. reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election
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3
Q

What are the requirements to become a member of the Senate?

A

Must:

  1. be ≥ 30 years old
  2. be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 9 years
  3. reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election
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4
Q

Congress can be referred to as a ____ body because it consists of both the House and the Senate.

A

bicameral

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5
Q

How does representation differ between the House and the Senate?

A
  • House Representation depends on a state’s population
  • In the Senate, each state always has 2 votes
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6
Q

How do the elections and term lengths differ between the Senate and the House?

A
  • 1/3 of the Senate is elected every 2 years, each member to 6 year terms

  • Representatives (of the House) are elected every 2 years to 2-year terms
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7
Q

Do limits exist on the number of terms Senate or House members can be elected?

A

No limits exist

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8
Q

What are 3 requirements to be eligible for President?

A

Must:

  1. be a natural-born citizen
  2. be ≥ 35 years old
  3. have resided in the U.S. for ≥ 14 years
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9
Q

What are the special powers of the House?

A
  • draft all bills and budgets
  • sole power of impeachment
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10
Q

What is impeachment?

A

an accusation of misconduct; does not necessarily imply removal from office

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11
Q

What are the special powers of the Senate?

A

tries all impeachments (convicts or acquits)

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12
Q

What are some of the powers of Congress?

A
  1. write laws
  2. determine and collect taxes
  3. pay debt
  4. regulate commerce (inter-state and international)
  5. coin money
  6. create a post office and roads
  7. issue copyrights
  8. create lower courts
  9. declare war
  10. create and support an army and a navy
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13
Q

How long are the presidential and vice-presidential terms?

A

4 years each

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14
Q

How is the President elected?

A
  • the electoral college votes for the President
  • each state’s representation in the electoral college is equal to the sum of its representatives and senators in Congress
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15
Q

What are some of the President’s responsibilities?

A
  1. act as commander-in-chief of the army and navy
  2. appoint a cabinet
  3. excuse and pardon those accused of crimes
  4. appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court justices with the approval of the Senate
  5. make treaties if 2/3 of the Senate approve
  6. give State of the Union addresses
  7. act as the public figure of the U.S. and meet with other foreign dignitaries
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16
Q

How can the President, Vice President, or other civil officer be removed from office?

A

The Senate can convict him or her of “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

17
Q

What is the highest court in the United States?

A

The Supreme Court

18
Q

What are some concerns with the federal courts’ jurisdiction?

A
  1. problems relating to the Constitution
  2. treaties
  3. problems between states
19
Q

What are concerns with the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction?

A
  1. appeals from federal courts
  2. problems relating to ambassadors, ministers, or other public officials
20
Q

What are checks and balances?

A

Measures taken so that no one branch has more power than another

They include:

  1. judicial review
  2. the veto
  3. impeachment