legislation
how many members are in the house of representatives?
435
A bill, or an idea for a new law, is introduced in either house. Exception: All bills to raise money must originate in the House of Representatives.
the first step in becoming a law
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution; states that the U.S. Constitution, all laws made under it, and all treaties entered into under it, constitute the "supreme law of the land"
What is the purpose of direct action?
To create such a crisis that the merchants would be forced to negotiate in good faith.
Incumbent
Advantage of recognition and assets that help incumbents win reelection
what is the elastic clause?
The necessary and proper clause gives congress the power to make laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the delegated duties
Also known as the ‘elastic clause’ it stretches the power given congress
what happens on the floor?
House debates the bill, and may add amendments. If a majority votes in favor of the bill, it goes to the Senate.
What is the Establishment Clause?
Clause in the 1st Amendment that states that Congress cannot establish religion
What is King's explanation of the effect of segregation?
The oppressor is given a false sense of superiority and the minority a sense of inferiority. It also distorts the soul and damages personality.
what is due process?
States that a person may not be denied life, liberty or property without the due process of law
what are the three main qualifications to be in the house of representatives?
25 year olds
7 years of us citizenship
A resident of represented state
what needs to happen for a bill to become a law?
If the president vetoes the bill, both houses can reconsider the bill
Two thirds (67%) of the both houses are needed to override the presidents veto
In the house: 291 needed for override senate:67
If president signs the bill, it is a federal law that each state must follow it
What is the free exercise clause?
Clause in the 1st Amendment that states that Congress cannot pass laws that inhibit the free exercise of religion.
A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God.
An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.
What is the difference between the two types of laws?
What is Cloture?
End unlimited debate in the senate/Kill a filibuster. Requires 60 votes.
what are the special powers of the house?
-All money (appropriations) bills start here
-Select the president in an electoral college tie
-Write the article of impeachment against high ranking officials
What happens if the second house passes a different version the bill?
If the second house passes a different version the bill, members of both houses meet as a conference committee to work out disagreements. When finished, both floors vote on the new bill. It may be approved by a majority vote or rejected.
Congress can regulate trade between nations, between states and among Indian tribes
what is the commerce clause?
What is King's case against waiting for change to happen?
He says that they have been told to wait and that waiting always results in nothing happening which is not what they want to accomplish. The wait has been long overdue and putting it off doesn’t change the inevitable. He is very persuasive in making people realize that this is their everyday reality, that black men, women, and children are forced to live this way because of racism in America.
Southern laws to disenfranchise Black Voters and return to some degree of status quo in post civil war South
Jim Crow Laws
what are the senate standing committees?
Appropriations- bills are passed
Armed services- controls army and if we go to war or pull troops out of places
Judiciary- Federal judge appt
What happens after the bill is approved?
An approved bill is then sent to the President. He may either veto (reject) the bill or sign it into law. If the President neither signs nor vetoes the bill, it becomes law in ten days.
States cannot unreasonably discriminate against individuals. They must treat people "equally"
what is the equal protection clause?
How did Martin Luther King Jr.'s view of being called an extremist evolve?
At first he was unhappy about it, then he thought about other men called extremists (Jesus, prophet Amos, Apostle Paul, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson) and welcomed the name.
Group of important advisors to the President (Heads of Department agencies, VP and other VIPs chosen by president). Created by Washington, example of an informal amendment to the Constitution based on custom / tradition.
the cabinet