US constitution flashcards

Question 1

Define judicial review

Answer 1

Supreme court reviews acts and the other branches of government

Question 2

Which branch makes the laws?

Answer 2

Legislative

Question 3

Which branch enforces the laws?

Answer 3

executive

Question 4

Which branch decides if a law is constitutional?

Answer 4

Judicial

Question 5

Which house of congress impeaches the president?

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Answer 5

House of reps

Question 6

Which house of congress serves as the jury for the impeachment of the president?

Answer 6

The senate

Question 7

Which branch can declare war?

Answer 7

Congress

Question 8

2 houses that make up congress

Answer 8

Senate + house of reps

Question 9

How can the president check the powers of congress?

Answer 9

Can veto legislation created by congress

Question 10

How can congress check the power of the president?

Answer 10

Congress can override presidential vetoes

Question 11

Which branch has the power to ratify treaties?

Answer 11

senate

Question 12

Which branch can negotiate treaties?

Answer 12

executive

Question 13

Principle that divides power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Answer 13

Separation of powers

Question 14

Which body of congress must revenue bills originate from

Answer 14

house of reps

Question 15

Which body of congress approves all presidential appointments and treaties

Answer 15

senate

Question 16

How many judges on supreme court? Who decides the number?

Answer 16

9. Congress decides

Question 17

President’s group of advisors

Answer 17

The cabinet

Question 18

Order of presidential succession

Answer 18

VP, speaker of house, president pro tempore (Senate), secretary of state

Question 19

Presiding officer of senate

Answer 19

Vice president

Question 20

What is the purpose of conference committees

Answer 20

reconciling differences in legislation

Question 21

Define ex post facto law

Answer 21

Law that imposes criminal liability or increases criminal punishment retroactively

Question 22

Federal court system in order from highest to lowest

Answer 22

district court, circuit court, supreme court

Question 23

Senate vote needed to convict on impeachment charges

Answer 23

2/3

Question 24

Acting in the role of chief diplomat, what does the president do?

Answer 24

Carries out relations with foreign nations and leaders

Question 25

Define enumerated powers

Answer 25

Powers granted to the federal government and specifically congress

Question 26

Who is responsible for setting the president and congress salary?

Answer 26

Congress

Question 27

Which branch includes attorney general?

Answer 27

executive

Question 28

Who has the power to command armed forces?

Answer 28

president

Question 29

Who has the power to introduce bills

Answer 29

congress

Question 30

How is it determined how many representatives a state has in house of reps?

Answer 30

Proportionate to population

Question 31

Elastic clause

Answer 31

Allows congress to make laws that weren’t specifically mentioned in the constitution

Question 32

Who can issue pardons?

Answer 32

President

Question 33

Who is required to give the state of the union address

Answer 33

president

Question 34

Writ of certiorari

Answer 34

Request that the supreme court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review

Question 35

What is a “brief” in relation to the supreme court

Answer 35

When attorneys present their argument to the court

Question 36

Dissenting opinion

Answer 36

Disagrees with the popular opinion

Question 37

What is precedent?

Answer 37

a decided case that furnishes a basis for determining later cases involving similar facts or issues