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Hail the Chief
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100
What are the constitutional requirements to be president?
35 years of age 14 years resident natural born citizen
100
What is a bicameral legislature?
A legislature with two houses.
100
which legislative body is proportionate to population?
The house of representatives
100
What is a "whip" and what is this person's role?
A leadership position in the house and senate. Their job is to "whip up" votes, and make sure party members are staying in line with the party.
100
How many supreme court justices are there, and who picks them?
9; the president, confirmed by the Senate
200
For how long does a president serve, and for how many terms?
4 years, up to 2 terms
200
For how long to Senators serve, and how many are there?
6 years. 100.
200
For how long do house members serve, and how many are there total?
2 years. 435
200
What is a committee, and what is its function?
A committee is a group of House reps or Senators in charge of preparing legislation, or making investigations.
200
What is the purpose of the Judiciary?
To make sure laws are constitutional.
300
What are 4 presidential responsibilities in the constitution?
commander in chief (army/navy) executive head (appoints cabinet) parons treaties nominations (judicial, diplomatic) chief diplomat reviewing/recommending legislation (veto power)
300
If there is a tie in the Senate, who breaks it? Also, who are the first 2 in line for the presidency, should the president perish?
The VP. ALso, the VP, then the Speaker of the House
300
What are the top two leadership positions in the House?
The Speaker of the House. The House majority leader
300
Explain the process of a bill becoming a law in the House, up through committee
A member submits a bill (into the hopper.) Bill then gets assigned to appropriate committee (usually a sub committee. Scheduled for hearings & testimony. Vote to send to full committee (or to the house, if already in full committee) If fails, bill dies. If passes, moves on.
300
What are constructionist vs activist judges
Constructionists: text should be interpreted precisely as written. Activist: interprets constitution based upon the evolution of society
400
What is an executive order? Explain how they work
a rule or regulation issued by the president usually to clarify or further a law put forth by congress or the constitution these are legally binding, but must be constitutiona Happen when president wants to bypass congress Congress can not overturn an order
400
Explain how the electoral college works
There are 538. Must have 270 to win. A winner take all system in most states.
400
What is a pocket veto?
The president waits longer than 10 days to sign a bill when congress is not in session, it dies. (however, if congress is still in session, it becomes a law without his signature.)
400
What is the committee of the whole, why is it used, and what is a poison bill?
It is the full house with a low quorum requirement. Bill is debated upon, and amendments are added. Bill can not be killed in committee of the whole. However, members may add amendments that they know will not pass, thus making it a "poison bill."
400
What is a test case, and give an example of one
Test cases serve to clarify some point in the constitution. In other words, they serve to clarify what types of laws might be made in the future.
500
What are two ways an executive order may be defeated?
Another president reverses it Congress defunds whatever thing the executive order was about.
500
Which trumps which- state law, or federal law? How does this work, and what is an example of this?
Federal law trumps state. However, states still pass laws that sometimes contradict federal laws. This means something might be legal in a state, but may still be prosecuted federally.
500
After the committee of the whole, what is the rest of the process?
Full house votes to recommit (send back to committee.) If recommit fails, full vote taken. If it passes, it is published. If not, it dies. If it passes, it goes to the Senate, to go through a similar process. When the bill leaves the House and Senate, the bills must be carefully checked to make sure they are exactly the same. If there are any differences, it goes to conference, where the differences are reconciled. (or not) Lastly, it goes to pres for either veto or approval.
500
How does a case get to the supreme court, and what sort of cases does the supreme court hear?
Starts in district courts. Then may move to circuit courts of appeals. Then, may go to supreme court. They hear cases that will clarify some point in the constitution.