Constitutional Convention
The Congress of the Confederation instructed the Convention of 1787 to do what?
Propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation
The political party most responsible for ratifying the Constitution.
Federalists
Give two expressed powers of Congress.
Declare war, borrow money, levy taxes, regulate commerce, maintain army & navy
Total membership of Congress.
535
Minimum age to serve as President.
35
Who ratifies federal judges?
The Senate
What is a filibuster?
Talking a bill to death
The minimum number of electoral votes to win presidency.
270
President of the Senate.
Vice President
Amendment that extended the Bill of Rights to states.
14th Amendment
Committee membership is based on…
seniority
Who must approve treaties?
Senate
He kept careful notes on the Constitutional Convention.
James Madison
The Constitution was ratified by what kind of groups?
Special state conventions
Define implied powers.
Powers from the Necessary & Proper Clause for carrying out enumerated powers
Where are proposed bills placed?
The hopper
Years of residency required to be President.
14
Term of office for a federal judge.
Life (or resignation/impeachment)
What rule stops a filibuster?
Cloture
President’s roles include:
Chief of State, Commander-in-Chief, Chief of Party
Majority needed to override a veto.
2/3
Supreme Court case requiring rights to be read to suspects.
Miranda v. Arizona
Committee chairmen generally have…
much experience
Who must approve presidential appointments?
Senate
The ruler of England when the Declaration of Independence was written.
George III
The U.S. Constitution gets its power from whom?
The people
Give an example of an implied power.
Creating a national bank, draft, post offices
A quorum in House or Senate means what?
A majority
Smallest number of electoral votes a state may have.
3
Only crime listed in the Constitution.
Treason
The Congressional Record contains what?
Proceedings of Congress each year
Frequency of the census.
Every 10 years
Which president attempted to pack the Supreme Court?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
A legislative act punishing without trial is a…
Bill of attainder
Lobbyists usually have what background?
Prior political experience
What is eminent domain?
Taking private property for public use with compensation
The number of states needed to ratify the Constitution.
9
Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
Hamilton, Madison, Jay
The “necessary and proper” clause is also called the ______ clause.
Elastic clause
Term for redrawing districts to favor a party.
Gerrymandering
The President’s constitutional powers include:
Veto bills, call special sessions, grant pardons and reprieves
Cases appealed from the highest state court go to…
U.S. Supreme Court
Congress begins its sessions at noon on what date?
January 3
Functions of political parties include…
Nominate candidates; determine issues; stir debate; govern
Define pocket veto.
President fails to sign a bill after Congress adjourns—bill dies
Define procedural due process.
Government must follow steps before taking life, liberty, property
Lobbyists work at what level?
Grassroots
What power does Congress have over the military?
Raise & support armies
Two primary pre-Convention meetings were held at ______ and ______.
Annapolis and Mt. Vernon
The Great Compromise solved what problem?
Representation in Congress
Congressional investigations are used to do what?
Obtain information to help enact laws
Who is most likely to gerrymander?
Majority party in the state legislature
Who has the authority to call special sessions of Congress?
The President
How many Supreme Court justices are there, and who determines the number?
Nine; set by Congress
Congress can regulate what types of commerce?
Interstate, foreign nations, Indian tribes
Smallest number of electoral votes a state can have.
3
What does the 25th Amendment address?
Presidential disability & transfer of power
Define substantive due process.
Laws must be fair and just; fundamental rights protected
What is the purpose of committees?
Study bills, conduct investigations, manage legislation
Who can call special sessions of Congress?
President
Describe the structure of the American system of government. Include:
– Federalism
– Three branches: jobs + powers
– Separation of powers
– Checks and balances
Federal system - type of government where power is shared between a national government and state or provincial governments.