The Legislative Branch
This Article of the Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch.
What is Article I
This group must give “advice and consent” before presidential appointments become official.
What is the Senate
This system prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful
What are checks and balances
Article III of the Constitution states that judicial power in the United States is vested in this highest court.
What is the Supreme Court
According to John Locke, people join together to form a limited government specifically to protect these three "natural rights".
What are Life, Liberty, and Property
A legislature consisting of two houses, created as a compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia Plans.
What is Bicameral
The president may remove most appointed officials except for
Who are Federal Judges
This is the term for the complex system of departments, agencies, and officials that carry out the daily work of government.
What is bureaucracy
This term refers to the authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
What is jurisdiction
Found primarily in Article I, Section 8, these are the specific powers granted to Congress that are "spelled out" directly in the Constitution, such as the power to coin money, collect taxes, and declare war.
What are Expressed Powers (or Enumerated Powers)
Considered one of the most powerful figures in Congress who has the ability to influence what bills make it onto the floor
Who is the Speaker of the House
Under the War Powers Resolution, the president must notify Congress within this number of hours before deploying troops
What is 48 hours
In an Iron Triangle, these three groups work closely together to influence policy and often benefit from the relationship.
What are Congress, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups
The U.S. court system has both state courts and federal courts, which together form this type of court structure.
What is a dual court system
Found in Article VI, this clause establishes that the Constitution and national laws are the "supreme Law of the Land," outranking state laws.
What is the Supremacy Clause
The name of the closed meeting both parties hold before Congress convenes for its first session
What is the Party Caucus
In this role, the president negotiates treaties and meets with foreign leaders on behalf of the nation.
What is Chief Diplomat
This amendment guarantees due process at the federal level
What is the 5th Amendment
Describe the process of selection for a federal judge
Appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate
This "Great" agreement settled the dispute between large and small states by creating a bicameral Congress, with one house apportioned by population and the other providing equal representation.
What is the Connecticut Compromise (or the Great Compromise)
The 1819 Supreme Court case that formally defined the scope of the "Necessary and Proper" clause.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland
This presidential power refers to mercy shown to someone convicted of a federal crime and includes pardons and reprieves.
What is the power of Clemency
The Supreme Court uses this process to apply (sue) specific rights from the Bill of Rights to the states
What is selective incorporation
Define Appellate Jurisdiction
Cases the Court reviews on appeal from lower courts
This term, found in all the first State constitutions, asserts that government can exist only with the consent of the governed, meaning the people hold the ultimate power.
What is Popular Sovereignty