Constitution
What is the Constitution?
The supreme law of the land that explains how the United States government is set up and run.
What are the names of the three branches of the United States government?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
What is the primary, main job of the Legislative Branch (Congress)?
To write and make laws.
Who is the current leader of the Executive Branch of the United States?
Donald Trump
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court.
What do we call the opening section of the Constitution that begins with the words "We the People"?
The Preamble.
Which branch of government is responsible for making sure laws are carried out and enforced?
The Executive Branch.
Congress is divided into two parts. What are the names of these two parts?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
How many years is one presidential term, and how many terms can a single person serve?
One term is 4 years, and a person can serve a maximum of 2 terms.
What is the main responsibility of a citizen when they are called for jury duty?
To go to court and sit on a jury to help decide if a person on trial is innocent or guilty
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Why did the Framers add the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?
o protect citizens' basic individual rights and freedoms (like freedom of speech and religion) from government abuse.
Why did the creators of our government separate the power into three different branches instead of just one?
To prevent tyranny or one person/group from having absolute control over the country.
How is the number of representatives for each state decided in the House of Representatives versus the Senate?
In the House, it is based on a state's population (larger states get more). In the Senate, every state gets exactly two senators, no matter its size.
What is the role of the President's Cabinet?
To advise the President on important topics like education, defense, and health, and to help run the government departments.
How do Supreme Court Justices get their jobs, and how long do they serve?
They are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate, and they serve for life (or until they choose to retire).
What is an "amendment"?
A change or addition made to improve or update the Constitution.
If Congress passes a bill, what action can the President take if they do not agree with it?
The President can veto it, which means refusing to sign it into law.
What happens to a bill if the House of Representatives approves it but the Senate votes against it?
The bill dies and does not become a law; both houses must pass the exact same bill.
As Commander-in-Chief, what major responsibility does the President have regarding the nation's military?
The President acts as the top leader and boss of all the armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.).
What does it mean when the Supreme Court declares a law "unconstitutional"?
It means the law goes against the rules of the Constitution, so it is no longer allowed to be a law.
How does the Constitution prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Through a system of checks and balances, which gives each branch ways to limit the power of the other two.
Give an example of how the Judicial Branch can check (limit) the power of the Legislative Branch.
The Supreme Court can declare a law passed by Congress unconstitutional, which cancels the law.
If the President vetoes a bill, how can Congress still turn that bill into a law?
Congress can override the veto if two-thirds (2/3) of both the House and the Senate vote to pass it anyway.
What is the purpose of the State of the Union address that the President delivers to Congress each year?
To report on how the country is doing and to share the President's ideas and plans for new laws.
Name two distinct responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen that are different from everyday basic rights.
Any two of the following: Paying taxes, obeying laws, serving on a jury, or voting in elections.