Full Constitution Test

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House of Representatives requirements

25 years old, U.S. citizen for 7 years, resident of the district.

Senate requirements

30 years old, U.S. citizen for 9 years, resident of the state.

Leader of the House of Representatives

Speaker of the House

Leader of the Senate

Vice -President of U.S.- doesn’t get to vote unless there is a tie vote. President pro tempore

Representation of House of Representatives

Based on population

Census every 10 years to count population

Impeachment role for House of Representatives

Accuser

Representation for Senate

Based on 2 per state

Who leads if s/he is not in the Senate?

President pro tempore

Impeachment role for Senate

Court

Congress

Must have a majority to do business, each house makes its own rules, a member can be expelled if 2/3 of the members agree, and members CAN NOT be arrested (with exception of serious crimes) while Congress is in session.

Most “bills” can start in the House or the Senate

Bills about taxes MUST start in the House of Representatives.

When the bill is approved by the House and the Senate, it goes to the president. He has 3 options,

Sign the bill, so it becomes a law, veto the bill, so it is rejected- Congress can override the veto if 2/3 of each house approves. Then the bill becomes a law without the presidents signature-, or they could do nothing- it becomes a law after 10 days IF Congress is still in session. If fewer than 10 days left in session it becomes a pocket veto.-

Powers of Congress

Collect taxes AND borrow money, trade with other countries, make laws about naturalization of citizens and bankruptcy, print money AND punish counterfeiters, set up the post office, PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS, SET UP LOWER COURTS UNDER THE SUPREME COURT, punish pirates, DECLARE WAR, build military and make rules governing it, RUN THE GOVERNMENT OF WASHINGTON D.C., and MAKE LAWS TO HELP CARRY OUT THE CONSTITUTION.

Congress CANNOT

Restrict slave trade until 1808, deny habeus corpus, punish without a trial, impose “ex post facto” law, charge export tax, and grant titles of nobility (king, queen, prince, etc.).

The states CANNOT

Make treaties with other countries or become a part of another country, print money, punish without trial, grant titles of nobility, tax imports or exports of its state, have its own military, make a treaty with another country, or declare war.

Powers shared by Federal and State

Tax, establish courts, borrow money, charter banks, provide for public welfare.

Popular Sovereignty

The power of the nation comes from the people

Republicanism

A government where citizens elect people to represent, and govern them

Limited Government

The citizens are able to pursuit happiness when their government is small while protecting their life, liberty, and property. The government can only do what the citizens want.

Enumerated Powers/Reserved Powers

If the power doesn’t go to the government it goes to the states and people.

Separation of Powers

Power is divided among the three branches, so no one has too much power.

Checks and Balances

Each branch is checked and balanced by the other. This makes sure one branch doesn’t get too much power.

Federalism

Power is shared between the central and state government.

Executive Branch

The part of government that carries out , administers, and enforces the laws. Includes the president and vice president.

Legislative Branch

The part of the government that makes and passes the laws. Includes the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court and lower courts.

Senate term

6 years

House of Representatives term

2 years

Requirements to be president

35 years old, natural born citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for the last 14 years

Impeachment

Being ACCUSED of illegal activity

What is the order of succession if there is a vacancy in the presidency?

1. Vice President

2. Speaker of the House

3. President pro Tempore

Who is the president actually elected by?

Electoral College

How many electors does a state get?

Number of representatives & the number of senators

Duties of the president

State of the Union address (supposed to be done by February 20th each year), Foreign affairs-make treaties and appoint ambassadors, Military- Commander in Chief, Domestic-lead legislation, call special sessions of Congress, Appointments-federal judges, cabinet members, etc., Judicial-pardons reprieves, appoint federal judges.

What are the presidents group of 15 advisors called?

The cabinet

The original 4 positions in the cabinet

State, war, treasury, attorney general (justice)

Which Court System is the ONLY one explicitly established in the U.S. Constitution?

The Supreme Court

How does a person get to be a Supreme Court justice?

Appointment by president and approved by the Senate

How long is the term for Supreme Court justice?

For life, but can retire anytime

Who makes the courts?

Legislative branch

Judicial Powers

Final court of appeal and judicial review

Judicial review gives the Supreme Court the power to determine…

Whether a law is constitutional

Executive Checks on Legislative and Judicial

Veto power, appointment-appoints federal judges, and reprieves/pardons