Basic Concepts
Which NATO Allies deployed to Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks on 11 September?
Every single NATO ally deployed to Afghanistan.
Which of America's trade partners are we now engaged in a trade war with?
Canada. Also formerly our top export market for several decades.
What is the one state that requires a majority vote for US senate elections?
Georgia.
What year was the Constitution ratified?
1789.
What was the vote count for the confirmation of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth? Explain the significance of the vote count.
The vote count to confirm Pete Hegseth was 51-50, requiring a tie breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance.
What is the percentage of the vote required to ratify a treaty? Include which chamber(s) of Congress in your answer.
A 2/3 vote in the senate
What is the proposed 2027 defense budget? (Include percentage increased from last year).
$1.5 Trillion, with a 44% increase from last year.
Explain the concept of plurality vote.
The candidate with the largest percentage of the vote among all the candidates, not a majority wins a plurality of the vote.
Explain the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
No national currency, no national military, no power to tax at the federal level
For 2x points: What event exposed the weaknesses of the AOC?
How many times have Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner been to Kyiv (Keiv) for negotiations in the Russia Ukraine War? Compare this with the number of visits to Moscow.
Witkoff and Kushner have been to Kyiv now 1 time since Jan. 2025. They have been to Moscow 8 times in that same time period.
Name the P5, and then name the other 4 countries that complete the nuclear 9.
P5: US, UK, France, Russia, China,
Rest of N9: Israel, Pakistan, India, North Korea
What percentage of Americans identify as independents?
2x Bonus: Highest percentage since what year?
What is significant about the midterm elections of 1994,2006,2010,2014?
In all these elections, one or more chambers of congress flipped majorities.
What was the nation's capital under the Articles of Confederation?
There was no national capital under the Articles of Confederation.
Explain the process of a UNSC vote and the requirements.
9/15 votes, need all P5 members to vote in favor. Each P5 member has a veto and even if the vote is 14-1 it will not pass.
What is the key function of Article 1 section 8 of the constitution pertaining to war?
Congress alone has the power to declare war.
Who said this?
(Reffering to a review of US military bases) "It will be designed to ensure NATO is moving fast and irreversably toward Europe leading, stepping up to take the primary resposibility for the defense of Europe."
Pete Hegseth.
Which 2 states don't use a plurality of the popular vote to determine electoral college votes?
Maine and Nebraska.
Explain the precise purpose for the Philadelphia Convention of 1787?
"For the sole and expressed purpose of revising and amending the Constitution."
What was the reason for the net loss of seats for Democrats in the 2010 midterm election? (Obama Administration)
The Affordable Care Act passed in both chambers of Congress with 0 Republican votes.
Explain Article 5 of the NATO treaty, and when it has been invoked.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty, also known as the 3 muskateers clause, states that an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all allies.
The only time article 5 has been invoked was following the 11 September attacks.
What was the senate vote on the resolution instructing President Trump to end the war in Iran? (Include Republican vote total)
50-48, with 4 republicans in favor.
Explain what happens in the event that no presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral college votes.
The election is decided in the house of representatives between the candidates that received electoral college votes, with each of the 50 states receiving 1 vote.
What are the enumerated powers in Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution?
Enumerated powers of congress: Money Powers (Tax and coin money), War Powers (national military and power to declare war), Trade Powers (to regulate trade with other countries and to regulate trade between the states), Judicial Powers (to establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court),
This was the Senate vote count to convict Trump, along with the number of Republicans who voted in favor of conviction.
Bonus (2x Points):
Explain the difference between impeachment vote and conviction vote.(Hint: it pertains to the vote requirement)
What is 57-43, with 10 Republican Senators voting in favor?