What is the two-house legislature to represent the states in the federal government (bonus points if you can name the two houses!)
Bicameral Legislature
Senate and House of Reps
What is the term for a lack of political cooperation between opposing parties?
Partisan
Who are the main people on The President's Team?
(partial points awarded for partial answers)
Vice President (Acts on behalf of the president, serves as the President of the Senate, replaces a president that can no longer serve), Cabinet (Secretaries, State Department, and Defense Department), and Bureaucracy, Immediate Staff (Personal Advisors, Chief of State etc)
Give an example of a President using Tech/Social Media/Television
Television: Since JFK, press conferences are live and covered on 24-hour news channels
Photography: Obama’s “Office of Digital Strategy” employed photographers and videographers to create social media image
Twitter in Chief: Trump has been criticized for using twitter excessively and as a media weapon
What is the power of the judicial branch to examine the constitutionality of legislative acts? (bonus points if you can name the influential court case!)
Judicial Review
Marbury v Madison 1803
What are these four powers called: “Raising Revenue”; taxing budgeting, and appropriating (spending) + Foreign and Interstate (between states) trade +
Raise armies, impose a draft/conscription, military spending, declare war + Those that are not enumerated, but are “necessary and proper”
(partial points awarded for partial answers)
Power of the Purse + Regulating Commerce + Foreign & Military Affairs + Implied: Elastic Clause
What is it called when illogical district lines are drawn to give one party the advantage?
Gerrymandering
What is this power: Those not explicitly listed; but are within the role of the executive?
Inherent powers
What are the Three Levels of The Court System?
US District Courts (lowest), US Circuit Courts of Appeals (middle), US Supreme Court (highest)
What is a precedent?
(Bonus points if you can name the two types of precedents!)
a firmly established legal position
Stare Decisis: “let the decision stand”
Binding Precedent: District courts ruling the same as similar decided the case from an upper court
Persuasive Precedent: considering pas decisions by distant courts as a guide basis for decision
Which chamber are these unique rules for?
Anyone who stands to speak must be recognized
Speech must be directed at the presiding officer with no time limits (Filibuster)
Can propose NONGERMANE amendments.
Have more tools and abilities to stall or speed up a bill during debate (like a HOLD)
Filibuster: Speaking so long that the deadline to approve a bill or appointment expires.
Cloture Rule: (Rule 22) a ⅗ supermajority vote can stop a debate on a bill (ending a filibuster)
Senate
What are Formal Powers?
Powers outlined in Article II
What is the Constitutional Intent for President?
1. Carries out Congress’s policies, 2. A Limited-Office; Unites the people and moderates Congress, etc
How long is a Supreme Court Justice's term
Life
What are the types of Constructionists?
Strict Constructionist: interpret the Constitution in its original context
Liberal Constructionist:interprets the constitution as a living document that adapts to changing times
What type of spending is this an example of: Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment (Bonus points if you can name the other kind of spending and one example!)
Mandatory Spending
Discretionary Spending
Pays for everything else not required under mandatory spending (Education, Defense, Housing and Urban Development, Energy)
What are Informal Powers?
powers interpreted to be inherent in the office to achieve policy goals
What is a Bully Pulpit?
the presidency has a prominent stage where they can speak with the public (“bully”=excellent)
What kinds of jurisdiction does the SCOTUS have?
Original Jurisdiction-the authority to hear cases for the first time
Appellate Jurisdiction-hearing cases from lower courts (The Supreme Court)
What is a petition of certiorari?
A brief arguing why/how a lower court got it wrong. 4/9 justice = the case will be heard (Rule of 4) *AMICUS CURIAE Brief: “Friend of the court”; Submitted by on outside, interested party to sway the court's decision
Pigenhole?
A committee chair decides not to move a bill forward for debate
What are the Presidential Roles?
(partial points awarded for partial answers)
Head of Party, Chief of State, Commander In Chief, Chief Diplomat
What is the report on the economic, military, and social state of the union? Since Woodrow Wilson, it has become an annual address to the nation.
State of the Union
What is treason?
“Levying War” or “Giving aid to an enemy”
An accused person can only be convicted of treason with TWO witness testimonies (found in article 3 section 3)
What are the types of opinions in a court case?
MAJORITY OPINION- The written summary of a case and the court's decision. and rationale
CONCURRING OPINION- a written statement of agreement but with a discrepancy
DISSENTING OPINION- A justice explain why they disagree with the majority opinion