Branching Out
These two bodies of government make up the Legislative Branch.
House of Representatives and the Senate (Congress)
This system was set up to maintain a balance of power so no single branch becomes too powerful.
What is Checks and Balances?
The Constitution is based on how many key principles.
seven
This part of the Constitution limits the power of government and protects individual rights.
Bill of Rights
This is the specific term used to describe the second step of the amendment process, where states must officially approve the change.
Ratification
The main job of this branch is to administer and carry out the laws passed by Congress.
The Executive Branch?
If a state law contradicts a federal law, this law is the one that prevails.
Federal Law
This fraction of the states must approve an amendment for it to be ratified.
3/4
The First Amendment protects these five specific freedoms.
Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
While Senators have no term limits, the President is limited to serving only this many full terms
2 terms (8 years total)
This highest court in the land listens to legal arguments and explains their decisions in a "Court's Opinion"
The Supreme Court?
These are the specific powers given only to Congress in the Constitution
Enumerated Powers
The process of changing the Constitution is always started by this group.
Congress
Obeying the law, paying taxes, and jury duty fall into this category of mandatory tasks. What is the word to describe these tasks?
Duties
This is the total number of Senators in the U.S. Senate
100 (2 from each state)
This is the specific power the Executive Branch has to reject or block a law passed by Congress
Veto Power
These are powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as taxing
What are Concurrent Powers?
These are the very first three words of the Preamble to the Constitution.
We The People
Voting and remaining informed are parts of this category of voluntary actions. What is the word to describe this task?
Responsibilities
This is the number of justices that currently sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.
nine
There are no term limits for these two specific groups of people.
Senators and state representatives
This is the President's power to check Congress by refusing to sign a bill into law
Veto Power
This is the power of the Judicial branch to declare acts of Congress to be unconstitutional.
Judicial Review
This amendment provides due process protections for people accused of crimes.
Amendment 5
A person who was born in another country can become a United States citizen through a legal process called what?
Naturalization