Legislative Branch (Article I)
What are the two parts of Congress?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
Who leads the executive branch?
The President
What is the main function of the judicial branch?
Interprets laws and ensures they follow the Constitution
What does “checks and balances” mean?
Each branch can limit the powers of the others
How many U.S. Senators are there in total?
100
How long is one term for a Senator?
6 years
What is the maximum number of terms a President can serve?
Two terms
How many Justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
Who can veto a bill passed by Congress?
The President
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
435
How are the number of Representatives for each state decided?
Based on population
What happens if the President can no longer serve?
The Vice President becomes President
What does judicial review allow the Supreme Court to do?
Declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional
Who can override a presidential veto?
Congress with a two-thirds vote
Who are California's two U.S. Senators?
Democrats Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff.
Name three powers of Congress
Making laws, declaring war, confirming presidential nominations
How are Cabinet members chosen?
Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate
Why do Supreme Court Justices serve for life?
To protect them from political pressure and ensure independent decision-making
Who can declare a law unconstitutional?
The Supreme Court
Who are the current President and Vice President?
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance (as of 2025)
What role does the House and Senate play in impeachment?
House impeaches; Senate conducts the trial and votes on removal
What are two main roles of the President?
Commander in Chief and Head of State (enforces laws, leads foreign policy)
What happens if the Supreme Court vote is tied?
The lower court’s decision stands
The Supreme Court rules a law unconstitutional. What is one way Congress can respond?
Congress can rewrite or amend the law, or propose a constitutional amendment to override the ruling.
Why do states have two Senators but a different number of Representatives?
To balance equal representation for states (Senate) with population-based representation (House), ensuring fairness between large and small states.