Congress in Action
Congress is considering a bill dealing with federal taxes. In which chamber must it begin?
House of Representatives
PowerCongress passes a bill the President strongly opposes. What formal power can the President use?
Veto
A new federal case has never been heard by another court. Where would it normally begin?
U.S. District Court
The President chooses a federal judge. What must happen before the nominee can take the position?
The Senate must confirm the nominee
A federal court hears a case for the first time. What type of jurisdiction is it exercising?
Original jurisdiction
Congress is considering a complicated new law. Where would much of the detailed examination and work normally occur?
A standing committee
U.S. military forces are operating overseas. What presidential role places the President at the head of the armed forces?
Commander in Chief
A party loses in U.S. District Court and asks a higher federal court to review the decision. Where does the case normally go next?
U.S. Court of Appeals
The President vetoes a bill. What can Congress do if enough members still support it?
Override the veto with two-thirds of both chambers
The Supreme Court relies on an earlier decision when deciding a similar constitutional question. What concept is it using?
Precedent
The President wants the United States to formally declare war on another nation. Which branch has that constitutional power?
Congress / Legislative Branch
The President selects someone for a federal judgeship. What is the President's role, and what is the Senate's role?
President nominates; Senate confirms or rejects
A case moves from District Court to the Court of Appeals. What types of jurisdiction are the two courts exercising?
District Court: original; Court of Appeals: appellate
The House approves impeachment charges against a federal official. What happens next?
The Senate conducts the impeachment trial
Congress passes a law that the Supreme Court believes violates the Constitution. What power allows the Court to address it?
Judicial review
A proposed law has support in Congress, but members disagree over its details. What part of Congress does much of the detailed work on the bill?
Standing committees
The President vetoes a bill, but two-thirds of the House votes to override. Has the veto been overridden?
No. Two-thirds of BOTH the House and Senate are required
A federal case began in District Court and was reviewed by the Court of Appeals. Which court is at the top of the federal system?
U.S. Supreme Court
The President nominates a federal judge whom many senators believe is unqualified. How can the Legislative Branch check the President?
The Senate can refuse to confirm the nominee
A court determines that an Executive Branch action violates the Constitution. What two major civics concepts does this demonstrate?
Judicial review and checks and balances
Congress passes a bill, but the President vetoes it. What can Congress do, and what vote is required?
Override the veto with two-thirds of BOTH chambers
The President says, "I nominated the judge, so the Senate cannot stop my choice." What is wrong with this statement?
Federal judicial appointments require Senate confirmation
A student says, "Every federal case starts in the Supreme Court because it is the highest court." What is the normal federal court pathway?
District Court → Court of Appeals → potentially Supreme Court
Congress passes a law, the President signs it, and the Supreme Court later finds it unconstitutional. What role did each branch play?
Congress passed it; President signed/enforced it; Judicial Branch reviewed its constitutionality
Article III does not explicitly say the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional. What landmark case established that precedent, and what is the power called?
Marbury v. Madison; judicial review