How a Bill Becomes a Law
Who is the only group that can introduce a bill after it has come from the variety of sources?
A Congress member.
What does separation of powers mean?
It is the division of the government through the 3 branches so not one branch is too powerful.
What is the Commerce clause?
Gives Congress power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among several states and Indian tribes.
In what year were the letters written?
1963
What is something that both, the House of Representatives and Senate, have to keep?
The Congressional Record, a detailed journal of what happened in the year.
What is it called when the bill is being considered by the whole House?
Committee of the Whole
What is the difference between checks and balances and separation of powers?
Checks and balances is how each branch and their actions can effect the actions of the other branches, while separation of powers is just the split between the three branches.
Why is the necessary and proper clause so important?
It gives Congress implied powers in order to make all laws which should be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.
What was Kings goal in his visit to Birmingham?
He wanted to get rid of the injustice present in that city, he also wanted to peacefully end the segregation there.
What are three specific powers of the Senate?
approve all treaties
approve all appointments
choose the Vice President in an electoral college tie
Whats a filibusters role in the law making process?
A filibuster is only used by the minority people in order to prevent a bill from being voted on. The goal is to talk the bill to death, and they dont have any other rules besides they are only allowed to speak twice.
Name the main job of each branch, legislative, executive, and judicial.
Legislative branch makes and creates laws, the executive branch enforces the laws, and the judicial branch checks the constitutionality of the laws.
What was the first court case that made it to the Supreme Court using the Necessary and Proper clause?
McCulloch v Maryland
Why did Martin take time to write the letters?
He wrote the letters to clergymen because he felt that they were men of good mood.
Why does the House have a shorter term than the Senate?
The House is seen as less important, than the Senate or the ¨younger brother¨. There are a lot more people in the House of Representatives and they dont necessarily have as much influence because their terms are only 2 years.
Why is it important not to call a cloture vote unless youre 100% sure that there will be a concrete answer to it.
If there is not a set answer than a filibuster can can being all of their speaking over again and then the voting period gets prolonged even longer.
Name three ways the legislative branch can check on the executive?
Can override a presidential veto by 2/3rd vote from House and Senate
Can impeach or remove the president
Can reject presidential appointments
How is the Privileges and Immunities Clause similar to the Tenth amendment?
The privilege and immunity clause gives citizens of each state entitled to the same privileges of those in other states, the tenth amendment state that powers not expressly given to the national government are reserved to the states of the people. Both of these allow citizens in each states to get the same rights or privileges.
Why does Martin Luther King Jr feel that he shouldnt be considered an outsider?
1. He was invited to Birmingham
2. He was a US citizen
3. He had organizational ties that connected to Birmingham.
What is the franking privilege?
Free postage on all mail to constituents (incumbent advantage)
What can a president use in order to blame a bill not being signed in time on Congress?
The President has a ten day rule which means that if the bill doesnt get signed in 10 days, while Congress is in session, than the bill dies. The President is able to blame this on Congress because he can say that they didnt get the bill to them on time and he didnt have time to sign the bill.
What other branch is able to declare laws unconstitutional and preside over the Senate hearing to impeach the president?
Judicial over legislative
Why is the Full Faith and Credit Clause important to the states?
It makes sure that each state acknowledges and respects the court actions of the other states.
What was Kings famous quote from the letters and what does it mean?
¨Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere¨ This means that everyone is affected by injustice, he was also saying that people in Birmingham shouldnt ignore their injustice because it might affect them in the future.
Where are the powers of Congress listed in the Constitution?
Article 1 section 8