How a Bill Becomes Law
This is where all revenue bills must begin.
What is the House of Representatives.
This branch writes and passes laws.
What is the Legislative Branch / Congress?
The Constitution divides the American government into these three parts.
What is the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches?
This House officer is elected by the House majority and is next in presidential succession after the vice president.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
This was the first document used to govern the United States of America.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
After passing both chambers, this official can sign or veto a bill.
Who is the President?
This branch interprets laws and their constitutionality.
What is the Judicial Branch / Supreme Court?
The president can veto legislation; Congress can respond with this check.
What is a veto override?
This Senate officer presides over the Senate but only votes to break ties.
Who is the Vice President of the United States?
These first ten amendments protect freedoms like speech, religion, and trial rights.
What is the Bill of Rights?
If the president vetoes a bill, Congress can override the veto with this margin in both chambers.
What is a two-thirds vote?
This branch enforces laws and contains the commander-in-chief.
What is the Executive Branch / President?
The Senate checks the president by doing this to nominees for cabinet or federal judge positions.
What is confirming / approving nominees?
Name two powers unique to the House of Representatives.
What is the power to introduce revenue bills ; initiate impeachment?
The Constitution's opening phrase that establishes authority from citizens.
What is "We the People?"
This Senate procedure allows extended debate with the goal of avoiding a vote.
What is a filibuster?
Which Legislative Branch chamber approves presidential appointments and ratifies treaties?
What is the Senate?
The Judicial Branch checks both Congress and the president by doing this to laws and executive actions.
What is declaring them unconstitutional?
Name two powers unique to the Senate.
What is the power to confirm/approve presidential nominations; ratify treaties; try impeachments?
This amendment guarantees equal protection and due process and was central to many civil rights cases.
What is the 14th Amendment?
This is the congressional committee which resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.
What is conference committee?
This is the power that allows the Judicial Branch to decide whether a law conflicts with the Constitution.
What is Judicial Review?
Give one example of how Congress can check the judiciary.
What is impeachment of federal judges / changing court jurisdiction / proposing constitutional amendments?
This leadership position in each chamber schedules legislation and manages the chamber's agenda for the majority party.
Who is the Majority Leader?
Name one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation that the Constitution fixed.
What is lack of federal taxing power; no executive branch to enforce laws; no national judiciary; difficulty passing laws/amendments?