Constitutional Powers
Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?
Article III
Which chamber of Congress is intended to reflect the will of the people and has representation based on population?
House of Representatives.
What is an “iron triangle”? Name its three components
The three components are Congress, interest groups, and bureaucracy.
Which of the following is a limitation on judicial power illustrated by state resistance to enforcing a Supreme Court decision: state/local noncompliance, presidential override, congressional recall, or immediate constitutional amendment? (Choose the correct limitation.)
State and local government can refuse to enforce Supreme Court decisions (state/local noncompliance) — demonstrates a limitation.
Power used by Congress to gather information useful for the formation of legislation, review the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies, conduct investigations through committee hearings, and bring to the public's attention the need for public policy
Congressional Oversight
What constitutional clause did Marbury v. Madison (1803) require the Court to interpret to assert judicial review?
The case relied on the Judiciary Act and the Court’s interpretation of the Constitution to establish judicial review
(Marbury v. Madison led to the Court’s power to declare laws unconstitutional)
Which chamber has longer terms (six years) and was designed to represent state interests?
The Senate
Give one example of how an interest group interacts with the bureaucracy within an iron triangle.
Interest groups lobby agencies for favorable rulemaking or provide information and support to shape regulations.
Which Supreme Court case held that race-based congressional districting could be subject to judicial review
Shaw v. Reno
A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.
Filibuster
Define “stare decisis” and explain briefly why a justice might cite it when deciding a case.
Stare decisis means to follow precedent; a justice cites it to maintain legal stability unless there is a compelling reason to overturn precedent.
Describe the role of standing committees in the legislative process and why “most legislative work” happens there.
Standing committees hold hearings, mark up bills, and shape legislation before it reaches the floor; specialization increases efficiency and expertise.
If the Department of Transportation accepts public comments leading them to establish standards for new technology, what authority are they using?
Delegated discretionary authority
List one way interest groups or political movements can legitimately seek to overturn a Supreme Court decision (example from Roe v. Wade context).
Organize to elect legislators who will pass laws or appoint justices who favor overturning a decision; pursue constitutional amendments; litigate new cases.
Passed by Congress in 1973; the president is limited in the deployment of troops overseas to a sixty-day period in peacetime (which can be extended for an extra thirty days to permit withdrawal) unless Congress explicitly gives its approval for a longer period.
War Powers Act
Identify one explicit power of the president in foreign policy and one check Congress holds on that power.
Commander-in-Chief authority to direct troops; Congress can declare war, fund or defund military action, or pass laws limiting actions.
What is a filibuster and which chamber allows it as a delaying tactic?
A filibuster is an extended debate to delay a vote; it is used in the Senate.
A department forms a committee to implement federal programs (e.g., Dept. of Education). What likely product results from that committee’s work?
Administrative guidance, a regulation, or an implementation plan (e.g., rules or program guidelines).
Who appoints Supreme Court Justices?
The President
A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.
Spoils System
Explain the constitutional difference between an executive order and a treaty (who makes them and what is required for ratification or implementation).
Executive orders are issued by the president to direct the executive branch (no Senate ratification); treaties are negotiated by the president and require Senate ratification by two-thirds.
Summarize the holding of Baker v. Carr (1962) and its significance for congressional redistricting.
Baker v. Carr made it possible for courts to ensure legislative maps reflected population changes, making democracy more representative and ensuring the principle of equal voting power for all citizens.
Judicial Review on redistricting and paved the way for "One person, One Vote"
Explain how Congress can influence a bureaucracy through its budgetary powers.
Congress controls agency funding and can increase or cut budgets, shaping agency priorities (appropriations example: increasing enforcement funding for a regulatory agency).
Explain appellate jurisdiction (Appeals court)
Appellate jurisdiction reviews lower-court decisions
Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money
Power of the Purse