How A Bill Becomes a Law
True or False: A bill can start in either the House or Senate.
True, it must go through both parts
What are enumerated powers?
Enumerated Powers are powers that are explicitly given to the federal government by the terms of the U.S. Constitution.
What is another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause?
The Elastic Clause.
What are Martin Luther King Jr.'s reasons for being in Birmingham?
King was invited there, has organized ties there, and knows injustice is there.
What is democracy?
A term used to describe a political system in which the people are said to rule, directly or indirectly.
Describe the term "pigeonhole" in regards to a bill.
They can pigeonhole, or kill, the bill in committee that way the bill goes no further.
Can the legislature impeach the president?
The United States Constitution provides that the House of Representatives "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" ( Article I, section 2 )
What does the Necessary and Proper Clause say?
One of the powers of Congress that allows them to make any laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out their other powers. (Article 1 Section 8)
According to King, what is a "just law"?
A law that coincides with moral law and law of god and uplifts human personality.
What is a republic?
A form of democracy in which power is vested in representatives selected by means of popular competitive elections.
What is a filibuster?
A filibuster is a technique used by majority to block bills, accomplished by debating about a bill to prevent it or delay it.
Describe Commerce Power.
Congress may regulate: channels of interstate commerce, persons and instrumentalities in interstate commerce, activities that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.
What does the Supremacy Clause say?
States that the U.S. Constitution, all laws made under it, and all treaties entered into under it, constitute the supreme law of the land (Article VI)
According to King, what is an "unjust law"?
A law that goes against moral law and degrades human personality.
What does the Three-fifths Compromise say?
Its an agreement that enslaved persons would count as three-fifths of other persons in determining representation in Congress.
What is cloture vote?
A cloture vote is the vote to end the debate. It requires a 60% majority.
Describe Amendment power.
The power to propose amendments to the Constitution.
What does the Equal Protection Clause say?
Says that states cannot deny U.S. citizens the equal protection of the law. The basis for nearly all civil rights cases.
Explain the quote: "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".
King means that everyone is affected directly and indirectly by injustice and those who ignore Birmingham's injustice may face threats to their justice later.
Describe the difference between Federalists and Anti-federalists?
Federalists are supporters of the ratification of the Constitution and a strong central government, meanwhile Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution because it gave more power to the federal government and less to the states.
Describe the 10 days rule.
When the bill is sent to the President, he has 10 days to make a decision. He can either sign the bill to make it a law, veto the bill to reject it, or ignore the bill for 10 days so the bill will become a law without his signature.
Which Article of the Constitution states the powers given to Congress?
Article 1 Section 8
What is the importance to the Equal Protection Clause?
It forces a state to not draw distinctions between individuals solely on differences that are irrelevant to a legitimate governmental objective and plays a big role in civil rights.
What does Martin Luther King Jr. mean by "Constructive nonviolent tension and how he defines its goal"?
King means that the protests are creating tension between races, and by protesting they will meet their racism and prejudice.
Describe checks and balances.
Its the power of the legislature, executive, and judicial branches of government to block some acts by the other two branches.