Amendments
This often overlooked amendment has been used to argue that the right to privacy is implied, though not specifically stated
What is the 3rd amendment?
This court case established judicial review
What is Marbury v Madison?
This Constitutional clause allows Congress to adapt to the changing needs of the country over time.
What is the "necessary and proper clause" or the "elastic clause"?
Civil rights advocates argue that random sobriety checks by police are an example of this, which is prohibited by the 4th amendment
What is an illegal search and seizure?
Refers to a legislative body that is divided into two separate houses, such as the House of Lords and the House of Commons in the United Kingdom.
What is a bicameral legislature?
Often cited in court, this amendment ensures that a defendant does not need to provide evidence against themselves
What is the 5th amendment?
The court's decision in Brown v Board of education was based on this amendment
What is the 14th amendment?
All spending bills must be initiated in the House of Representatives because they have this power
What is the "power of the purse"?
In 1976, the Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment does not violate this 8th amendment guarantee
What is "no cruel or unusual punishment"?
The practice of redrawing Congressional district maps to favor one political party
What is gerrymandering?
This amendment is one of the key elements of federalism, stating that states hold the powers not granted to the federal government
What is the 10th amendment?
This case established the court's position on the 2nd amendment; that owning a handgun for self-defense is a protected right.
What is Chicago v McDonald?
In the case of US v Lopez, the Court limited Congress' ability to apply this clause to create gun-free school zones
What is the commerce clause?
This right, which lives in the "penumbras" of the Constitution, was the rationale for the court overturning sodomy laws, as in the case of Lawrence v Texas
What is the right to privacy?
This law was passed by Congress in response to growing Presidential power during the Vietnam era
What is the War Powers Act?
The 24th amendment made this illegal?
What is the poll tax?
In this case, the Court used the "free exercise" clause to allow Amish parents to remove their children form school after 8th grade.
What is Wisconsin v Yoder?
Senators are now elected directly by voters, rather than by state legislatures, since the passing of this amendment
What is the 17th amendment?
Protestors in Selma, Alabama led by Dr. Martin Luther King succeeded in forcing Congress to pass this important piece of legislation.
What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
The practice of declaring certain provisions of the Bill of Rights applicable to the states under the 14th amendment
What is selective incorporation?
Equality of the law is expressed in these concepts from the 14th amendment
What are due process and equal protection?
In this case about free speech issues, the Court established the "clear and Present danger" test to determine if the government can restrict speech.
What is Schenck v United States?
When a bill is held up in committee, House members can attempt this to bring the bill to the floor for debate
What is a discharge petition?
In cases involving the application of the 14th amendment, such as Miranda v Arizona, the court considers this when looking at how a law is carried out by the government
What is procedural due process?
The practice by a legislator of voting based on the will of their constituents
What is the delegate model?