Unit 4
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
What is it called when we have two houses of Congress?
Bicameral legislature
How long is a president's term
4 years
What is a crime?
any behavior that is illegal
What are concurrent powers?
Powers that are shared between by both federal and state governments
What is the first amendment?
Freedom of Speech
What is gerrymandering?
Drawing district lines that favor a certain political party
What is the main job of the Vice President?
They take over if the president dies
What is civil law?
Laws about disputes between people
True or false: Every state has its own constitution
True
What is the thirteenth amendment?
The thirteenth amendment made slavery illegal
What are caucuses?
private meetings in each house
How many cabinet members are there?
15
What is administrative law?
laws created by government agencies
How many legislators does Massachusetts have?
200; 160 representatives and 40 senators
What did the nineteenth amendment do?
Gave women the right to vote
What are the powers given to Congress called?
Delegated powers
What are ambassadors?
the highest-ranking representatives in foreign countries
How long are federal judges appointed for
for life
What does engross mean?
It means to officially approve something, like a bill.
What did the twenty-third amendment do?
Gave residents in the District of Columbia the right to vote
List the steps of how a law is made
1. a bill is proposed
2. Bill is sent to committee
3. Sent to either Senate or House
4. If approved is sent to president
5. President either approves or vetoes bill
Who decides the president if neither candidate receives 270 votes?
The House of Representatives
What is the court of appeals?
courts that have power to review decisions made by lower courts
What is the Penal Code?
The set of criminal laws.