Constitution
Establishment Clause
prohibits the government from establishing a religion
Miranda v. Arizona
established that police must inform suspects of their constitutional rights before custodial interrogation
Federal System of Government
form of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states or provinces.
6 Steps for a bill to be put into law
1. Introduction
2. Committee Selection
3. Floor debate and vote
4. Referral to the other chamber
5. Conference committee (if needed)
6. President signs bill into law
Necessary and Proper Clause
grants Congress the power to create laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its other enumerated powers
Exclusionary Rule
prevents evidence obtained through an unconstitutional search and seizure from being used in a criminal trial
Gideon v. Wainwright
The Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel is a fundamental right
Representative Government
a system where citizens elect officials to make laws and decisions on their behalf
Pork-barrel legislation
government spending, often in the form of earmarks, that is added to a bill to fund a specific, localized project that benefits a politician's district or constituency
Who has the power to call for an impeachment of a federal official
House of Representatives
25th Amendment Succession order
1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of State
Baker v. Carr
The Court formulated the "one person, one vote" standard for legislative redistricting, holding that every person had to be weighted equally in legislative apportionment
Laissez-Faire
a hands-off approach where the government does not interfere in economic affairs
Term Limits for: House of Representatives, Senate & President
Full and Faith Credit Clause
constitutional provision that requires each state to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state
6th Amendment
right to an attorney is a constitutional guarantee in the U.S. that applies to criminal cases, ensuring a defendant can have legal counsel
Schenck v. United States
The Court established the "clear and present danger" test, ruling that the First Amendment does not protect speech that creates a significant risk
Popular Sovereignty
the principle that a government's authority is derived from the people, who are the source of all political power
Reapportionment Act of 1929
set the number of U.S. House of Representatives seats at a permanent 435 and established a procedure for reapportioning those seats automatically after each decennial census
Necessary and Proper Clause
grants Congress the power to create laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its other enumerated powers
5th Amendment
No one can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, meaning the government must follow fair procedures and act in accordance with legal rules
Engle v. Vital
ruled state-sponsored prayer in public schools unconstitutional
Bicameral Legislature
a governmental body with two separate chambers or houses, typically an upper and a lower house
Filibuster
a tactic in the U.S. Senate where one or more senators delay or block a vote on legislation by prolonging debate
Appointment Powers of the President (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2)
allows the President to nominate officials for key federal positions, such as Supreme Court justices, federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet secretaries