Government can govern only with the consent of the governed; sovereign people created the constitution and the government
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Limited Government
Government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do; the government and its officers are always subject to the law
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Separation of Powers
The constitution distributes the powers of the National Government among Congress, the President, and the courts; used to limit the powers of the government and prevent tyranny
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Checks and Balances
Each branch of government was subject to a number of constitutional restraints by the other branches; what each branch can and cannot do
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Judicial Review
Power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a government action
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Federalism
The division of political power among a central government and several regional governments; compromise between a strict central government and a loose confederation
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Powers Delegated to the National Government
Declare war
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Powers Reserved to States
Establish and maintain schools
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Powers of Both the National Government and the States
Raise taxes, provide for the public welfare, build roads
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Legislative Branch
Makes laws
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Size of the House
435 members
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Congress consists of two houses. They are:
The House of Representatives and the Senate
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House of Representatives Term Length
2 year terms with no limit to the number of terms
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How old do members of the House have to be?
25 years of age
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How long must a person be a citizen to be in the House?
7 years
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Gerrymandering
Drawn to the advantage of the faction that controls the State legislature
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Size of the Senate
100 members, 2 from each state
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Senate Term Length
6 year terms, 1/3 every 2 years
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Continuous Body
Seats are never all up for election at the same time
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How old must senators be?
30 years of age
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How long must a person be a citizen to be in the Senate?
9 years
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Filibuster
Tactic used by a minority to "talk a bill to death" on the Senate floor
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What percentage is needed to pass a bill?
51%
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Presidential Veto
President rejects bill
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Choose no action
President decides to do nothing; bill automatically passed after 10 days
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Pocket Veto
When Congress adjourns within the 10 day period and the President decides not to sign the bill
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How long must a person be a citizen to run for President?
Must be a natural-born citizen who has lived in the country for at least 14 years
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How old must Presidents be?
35 years old
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When is election day?
The Tuesday after the 1st Monday
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What determines the number of electoral votes a state gets?
The number of representatives plus the number of Senators
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How many electoral votes are needed to win an election?
270
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How many electoral votes are in an election?
538
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How are judges appointed?
The President nominates them and the Senate confirms them
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How long are the terms for judges?
Life terms
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What is the set number of justices?
9
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Majority Opinion
Written statement by a majority of the judges of a court in support of a decision made by that court
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Concurring Opinion
Written explanation of the views of one or more judges who support a decision reached by the majority but disagree with the grounds for that decision
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Minority Opinion
Written explanation of judges who disagree with the majority
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