Congress: Senate & House
How long do Senate members and House members serve?
Senate: 6 Years
House: 2 Years
What is the Judicial Branch?
The judicial branch is a three-level court system led by the Supreme Court that is responsible for interpreting the laws, and it decides if the rules violate the Constitution
What are formal and informal powers?
Formal: Power explicitly granted by constitution or law
Informal: Implied powers not explicitly stated
What is the federal Bureaucracy?
thousands of federal government agencies/institutions that carry out and administer federal laws
Which branch has the power to veto bills passed by Congress?
The president can veto a bill if they disagree with the bill being passed.
How many members of the Senate and House are there
Senate: 100
House: 435
How long do federal judges serve?
What role does the president as the commander in chief play?
Commander in chief signifies that the president is fully in charge of the US military force, has the power to act unilaterally (one sided decision) in military matters
What is the role of the bureaucracy?
Implement and enforce the laws
What power allows the Supreme Court to strike down actions or laws from the other branches?
The Judicial court.
Where do bills for raising revenue have to originate?
The House of Representatives
How does the Judicial branch fit into the checks and balance system?
Judicial branch keeps executive and legislative branches in check by declaring laws that are aligned by the constitution.
What is the bully pulpit?
US President having a powerful public voice to shape public opinion by pushing their ideas, policies, or values as a way to push their agenda, gaining support
Name one federal department agency
ex: homeland security, justice, health, state, transportation, treasury, education
What constitutional check requires the Senate to review and approve presidential appointments to ensure the president cannot fill the government with unapproved allies?
Advise and consent.
How can Congress override a veto?
Both chambers need a 2/3 vote to override the veto. If both succeed, the veto is overridden, and the bill passes.
Why is it important that the Judicial Branch remains independent?
Federal judges are to make decisions which allow them to based on the law without facing any political pressure or popular opinions
What is a pocket veto?
When the US President refuses to sign a bill, effectively killing it and making it so congress can't override the veto (unlike a regular veto)
True or false: Congressional regulation allows the bureaucratic agencies to do whatever they want
False
What are the three branches, and what roles do each branch play?
The three branches are Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative branch creates and passes laws. The Executive branch takes care of enforcing and administering laws. The Judicial branch focuses on interpreting laws and enforcing them in court.
What is the power of the purse?
Congress controls the government's money and decides how it gets spent, a major check on the President's power, by deciding how public funds are raised and spent
What is the difference between Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint?
Judicial Activism: Judges are required to use their power to correct any injustice when other constitutional bodies aren't acting.
Judicial Restraint: Limiting Judges' Power to strike down the law, the court should uphold all acts of Congress and state legislatures unless they are violating the Constitution of the country.
What is a signing statement?
Comment made by the US president when signing a bill into law, explaining their own interpretation or expressing concerns, made to clarify presidents analysis
What is the role of the civil service commission
insuring a proper management for those working in the government, not allowing political party bias
How does Congress ensure the Executive Branch carries out laws?
By holding hearings, investigations, funding control (power of the purse), requiring reports, approving appointments (advice & consent), and passing new laws to clarify or alter agency actions.