Legislative Branch
Who makes up the legislative branch of the federal government?, What is the main role of the legislative branch?
Congress which is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, make laws
Who makes up the executive branch of the federal government?, What is the main role of the executive branch?
President, Vice President, Cabinet, enforce laws
Who makes up the judicial branch of the federal government?, What is the main role of the judicial branch?
Supreme Court, interpret laws
What is the Electoral College?
a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the President and Vice-President
Define enumerated, reserved, and concurrent powers.
enumerated: federal powers, concurrent: shared powers, reserved: state powers
How do Senators and Representatives get their position?, What is their term length?
They are elected by the people that they represent. 2 years for representatives, 6 years for Senators
What is the term length for the President?
four years (they can only serve two terms)
How do Supreme Court justices get their job?, What is their term length?
appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, for life or until retirement
Define impeach and veto.
impeach: to charge a federal official with a crime, veto: when the President rejects a decision or proposal made by Congress
Define pardon and appeal.
pardon: when the President forgives/excuses someone of a crime, appeal: the process of bringing a legal case in front of a higher court to review the decision of a lower court
List some powers of Congress.
declare war, pass laws, make national budget, etc
How do the President and Vice President get their jobs?, How does the Cabinet get their jobs?
elected via the Electoral College, appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate
What type of cases does the Supreme Court hear?
appeals, issues between states, and anything that requires a judge to determine if something adheres to the Constitution (constitutionality of a law)
What is the meaning of "popular sovereignty?"
a government's power comes from the people
Give me at least one example of each type of power: enumerated, concurrent, and reserved.
enumerated: declare war, concurrent: taxes, reserved: conduct elections
How does Congress limit the power of the President?
Congress has to approve any of the President's appointments and any treaties
How does the President check the power of Congress?
veto laws
How does the Supreme Court check the power of Congress?
declare laws unconstitutional
What is the process for amending the Constitution?
An amendment must pass in Congress by a two-thirds majority vote, and then three-fourths of the states must ratify it.
What principle of government is reflected in the first words of the Constitution: "we the people?"
popular sovereignty
How does Congress check the power of the President and the Supreme Court?
Congress can impeach federal officials
How does the President check the power of the Supreme Court?
The President nominates judges to the Supreme Court
How does the Supreme Court check the power of the President?
declare executive orders unconstitutional
Describe the process for how a bill becomes a law.
introduce in one house, discuss/debate, vote, if yes then go to the other house, discuss/debate, vote, if yes it goes to the President, President can sign it, veto it, or do nothing and it becomes a law after ten days
How does the Electoral College work?
Electors vote for the President in a manner according to state law, usually in a "winner take all" approach.