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.
What are the 3 branches of government?
- legislative
- executive
- judicial
What are the requirements to become a member of the House of Representatives?
Must:
- be ≥ 25 years old
- be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 7 years
- reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election
What are the requirements to become a member of the Senate?
Must:
- be ≥ 30 years old
- be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 9 years
- reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election
Congress can be referred to as a ____ body because it consists of both the House and the Senate.
bicameral
How does representation differ between the House and the Senate?
- House Representation depends on a state’s population
- In the Senate, each state always has 2 votes
How do the elections and term lengths differ between the Senate and the House?
- 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
Do limits exist on the number of terms Senate or House members can be elected?
No limits exist
What are 3 requirements to be eligible for President?
Must:
- be a natural-born citizen
- be ≥ 35 years old
- have resided in the U.S. for ≥ 14 years
What are the special powers of the House?
- draft all bills and budgets
- sole power of impeachment
What is impeachment?
an accusation of misconduct; does not necessarily imply removal from office
What are the special powers of the Senate?
tries all impeachments (convicts or acquits)
What are some of the powers of Congress?
- write laws
- determine and collect taxes
- pay debt
- regulate commerce (inter-state and international)
- coin money
- create a post office and roads
- issue copyrights
- create lower courts
- declare war
- create and support an army and a navy
How long are the presidential and vice-presidential terms?
4 years each
How is the President elected?
- 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
What are some of the President’s responsibilities?
- act as commander-in-chief of the army and navy
- appoint a cabinet
- excuse and pardon those accused of crimes
- appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court justices with the approval of the Senate
- make treaties if 2/3 of the Senate approve
- give State of the Union addresses
- act as the public figure of the U.S. and meet with other foreign dignitaries