U.S. Constitutional Amendments, Checks & Balances, and Government Procedures

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing the 27 constitutional amendments, separation-of-powers checks, bureaucratic concepts, and key majority/supermajority vote thresholds for AP Government review.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, press, petition, and the free exercise of religion.

Second Amendment

Establishes the right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime without consent.

Fourth Amendment

Bans unreasonable searches and seizures and sets requirements for search warrants.

Fifth Amendment

Guards against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and allows government takings with just compensation (eminent domain).

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees a speedy, public, and fair trial, the right to counsel, and the right to confront witnesses.

Seventh Amendment

Provides for jury trials in federal civil (non-criminal) cases.

Eighth Amendment

Forbids cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.

Ninth Amendment

Clarifies that rights not specifically listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people.

Eleventh Amendment

Bars citizens from suing a state in federal court without that state’s consent.

Twelfth Amendment

Requires separate Electoral College ballots for President and Vice President.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.

Fourteenth Amendment

Defines citizenship, contains the Privileges and Immunities, Due Process, and Equal Protection Clauses.

Fifteenth Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous servitude (granted suffrage to all males).

Sixteenth Amendment

Authorizes Congress to levy a federal income tax.

Seventeenth Amendment

Establishes direct election of U.S. senators by the people.

Eighteenth Amendment

Institutes national prohibition of alcohol.

Nineteenth Amendment

Grants women the right to vote (women’s suffrage).

Twentieth Amendment

Moves inauguration dates (‘lame-duck’), and states VP succeeds if President-elect dies.

Twenty-First Amendment

Repeals Prohibition (Eighteenth Amendment).

Twenty-Second Amendment

Limits the President to two four-year terms (maximum of 10 years).

Twenty-Third Amendment

Awards Washington, D.C., three electoral votes in presidential elections.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes in federal elections.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Sets procedures for presidential succession and disability.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Lowers the voting age nationwide to 18.

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Prevents congressional pay raises from taking effect until after the next election.

What is the margin required to override a presidential veto?

2/3 majority in the House of Representatives and 2/3 majority in the Senate

What is the margin required to ratify a treaty?

2/3 majority in the Senate

What is the margin required to impeach a president?

Simple majority (half plus one) in the House of Representatives

What is the margin required to convict an impeached president?

2/3 majority in the Senate

What is the margin required to elevate a president’s nominee to a federal court (including the Supreme Court)?

Simple majority (51)

What is the margin required to elect the president?

270 electoral votes

What is the margin required to pass a law?

Simple majority in both houses of Congress

What is the margin required to propose a constitutional amendment?

3/4 majority in both houses of Congress or 3/4 of state legislatures requesting a convention

What is the margin required to ratify a constitutional amendment?

¾ of states

• Q: How can Congress (Legislative Branch) override a veto by the president (Executive Branch)?

A: With a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress.

What tool does Congress (Legislative Branch) use to investigate the president (Executive Branch)?

Oversight hearings

How can Congress (Legislative Branch) influence the budget proposed by the president (Executive Branch)?

They can reduce or increase it.

What role does the House of Representatives (Legislative Branch) play in impeaching the president (Executive Branch)

The House can impeach (accuse) the president.

What role does the Senate (Legislative Branch) play in removing the president (Executive Branch) from office?

The Senate serves as the jury and convicts or acquits the president.

What vote is required for the Senate (Legislative Branch) to ratify a treaty made by the president (Executive Branch)?

A 2/3 majority vote.

• What is required for the Senate (Legislative Branch) to approve appointments made by the president (Executive Branch)?

A simple majority vote.

• How can Congress (Legislative Branch) change the structure of the federal courts (Judicial Branch)?

By changing the number and jurisdiction of courts

• Who sets the jurisdiction of lower federal courts (Judicial Branch)?

Congress (Legislative Branch).

Can Congress (Legislative Branch) change the number of justices on the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)?

Yes

• Who approves judicial appointments to the federal courts (Judicial Branch)?

The Senate (Legislative Branch)

What role does the House of Representatives (Legislative Branch) play in removing federal judges (Judicial Branch)

The House can impeach (accuse) a federal judge

• What role does the Senate (Legislative Branch) play in judicial impeachment trials?

The Senate serves as the jury and convicts or acquits

How can Congress (Legislative Branch) override Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) decisions?

By initiating a constitutional amendment

• How can the president (Executive Branch) reject a bill passed by Congress (Legislative Branch)?

Veto

• How can the president (Executive Branch) weaken a law passed by Congress (Legislative Branch)?

By choosing not to enforce it.

What is an executive order issued by the president (Executive Branch)?

A directive with the force of law.

• What is an executive agreement made by the president (Executive Branch)?

An agreement with another country that does not require Senate approval.

• What is the “bully pulpit” as used by the president (Executive Branch)?

Appealing directly to the people to influence Congress (Legislative Branch).

How can the president (Executive Branch) call Congress (Legislative Branch) into session?

By convening Congress

• How does the president (Executive Branch) influence the federal courts (Judicial Branch)?

By appointing federal judges.

What can the president (Executive Branch) do if they disagree with a court decision (Judicial Branch)?

Choose not to enforce it.

• What is the pardon power of the president (Executive Branch)?

The ability to forgive crimes.

How does the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) check Congress (Legislative Branch)

Through judicial review.

• How does the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) check the president (Executive Branch)?

Through judicial review.

• What is bureaucratic discretion granted by Congress (Legislative Branch)?

The power for agencies to implement laws using expert judgment

What is bureaucratic rulemaking by federal agencies?

The creation of regulations that carry the force of law.

• How can the president (Executive Branch) control the federal bureaucracy?

By appointing/removing agency heads, reorganizing agencies, adjusting budgets and policies, or issuing executive orders.

• How can Congress (Legislative Branch) check the bureaucracy?

By passing legislation, reducing funding, abolishing programs, holding oversight hearings, and approving appointments.

• How does the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch) check the bureaucracy?

Through judicial review of agency actions.