It's a Numbers Game
How many people are in the Senate?
100
What is a census
An official count of the US Population that occurs every 10 years.
List two ideals in the Declaration of Independence
Everyone is equal; Right to Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness; Gov't exists to protect your rights; if your rights are not protected than you vote in a gov't that will protect your rights.
How many branches of government is there in the US?
The first ten amendments are also known as...
The Bill of Rights
How many people are in the US House of Representatives
435
What is the meaning of the Elastic Clause?
stretches the power of government to make "any laws necessary and proper" to carry out responsibilities
List 2 problems with the Articles of Confederation
Could not collect taxes; could not create a nat'l army; no executive branch to enforce the laws; no national court system to settle disputes among states.
Which branch judges and interprets the laws as Constitutional?
Judicial Branch
What makes the second amendment so controversial?
It's about guns
How is the numbers of Senators decided?
2 from each state
What is a Filibuster?
a senator speaks nonstop during a debate over a bill to delay voting (stopped by a cloture)
What is the purpose of the preamble to the Constitution
to explain the Constitution and convince voters to ratify it.
Which branch enforces the laws?
Executive branch
What amendment ended slavery in the US?
13th amendment
How is the number of Representatives decided?
The number is chosen based on the population of the state.
What is the meaning of Habeus Corpus?
If you are arrested, you must be brought before a judge to show that you might have broken the law.
In Checks and Balances, what is meant by Checks?
To limit the power of each branch of gov't.
Which branch writes the laws?
Legislative Branch
Name 3 of the five amendments guaranteed to you by the first amendment
speech; religion; press; assembly; petition
How many Supreme Court judges are on the bench?
9
What is a Quorum?
In Checks and Balances, what is meant by Balances?
The power that is distributed and shared among the three branches
How is the Legislative Branch further divided?
2 houses; Senate and House of Representatives
This amendment gave women the right to vote
19th amendment
What are the two steps of how the Electoral College elects the President/Vice President
People in the state vote for the candidate they want to receive their state's Electoral College votes; First candidate to 270+ (majority) wins
What is a CLOTURE
60 or more senators vote to stop a filibuster.
What is one of the three ways a bill becomes a law?
President signs it; Sits on President's desk for 10 days while Congress is in session; Veto-override
What is the leader of the Supreme Court Justices called
Chief Justice
In 1870, the 15th Amendment guaranteed...
All male citizens (former slaves included) can vote
What are the 2 ways a person can be convicted of Treason
Confessing to treason in court; two witnesses testify against a person in court.
What is the Supremacy Clause
Article VI-The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
What are the two ways a bill does NOT become a law?
President vetoes the bill; President pocket vetoes the bill (sits on his/her desk for 10 days and Congress has adjourned
What are the years of a term for each of the following? Representative; Senator; President; Judge
2 years (Rep); 6 Years (Sen); 4 Years (Pres); Life (Judge)
Under the 25th Amendment, how can the President be removed from office (Not Impeachment)
The Vice President, a majority of the President's Cabinet inform Congress that the President is no longer able to do the job.