CIH - how a bill becomes a law + hobbes and rousseau

What are the three branches of government?

Executive (President/V.P.), Legislative (Congress), Judicial (Supreme Court)

What is separation of powers?

Dividing power between branches of government.

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

Each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Give an example of checks and balances.

The President can veto a law, Congress can override the veto with 2/3 vote, and the Supreme Court can rule a law unconstitutional.

How long is a Senator’s term?

6 years (no term limit).

How long is a Representative’s term?

2 years (no term limit).

How long is a President’s term and what is the limit?

4 years, limit of 2 terms.

How long is a Supreme Court Justice’s term?

Life term.

What is the House of Representatives based on?

Representation based on population.

How many Senators does each state have?

2 per state.

What makes a good law?

Addresses a need, enforceable, cost effective.

Where does every bill start?

With a sponsor, placed in the “bill hopper.”

What happens to a bill in committees?

Assigned to relevant committees, testimony heard, may be amended, and passed by simple majority — or it dies.

What happens if a bill passes all committees?

Voted on by the full chamber (can still be amended).

What happens after one chamber passes a bill?

It goes to the next chamber and repeats the process.

What is a conference committee?

A group that resolves differences when the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill.

Who can introduce spending bills?

Only the House of Representatives.

What is a filibuster?

When Senators talk for unlimited time to delay or block a vote on a bill (“talk it to death”).

What can the President do with a bill?

Sign it into law, veto it, or let it become law after 10 days without signing.

What can the Supreme Court do to a law?

Rule it unconstitutional and strike it down.

What can Congress do if the Supreme Court strikes down a law?

Change the law or amend the Constitution to make it constitutional

what is a social contract

freedom exchanged for security, protects the rights of everyone.

what are Hobbes belifs?

government should be strong, and leaders should not look to their citizens, they should lead

what are Rousseau’s belifs?

people are good, but society and civilization make us corrupt, and robs us of our freedom.

what is the general will?

decisions of the majority are supreme.

what is a direct democracy?

everyone has input and participates to make decisions.