unit 3 constitution study guide

what two chambers make up congress?

house of representatives and senate

how often are members of the house of reps elected?

2 years

what are the 3 qualifications to serve in the house?

25 years old, us citizen for at least 7 years, must reside in the state they are elected in

how often is the us census taken?

every 10 years (years ending in 0)

how many members are in the house of representatives today?

435

who is the leader of the house of representatives?

speaker of the house - Mike Johnson

how many senators does each state have?

2

what amendment allowed people to elect senators directly?

17th amendment

what is the length of a senator’s term?

6 years

what are the 3 qualifications to serve in the senate?

at least 30 years old, must be a us citizen for at least 9 years and must reside in the state they were elected in

who is the official leader of the senate?

president of the senate - vice president of the united states

who presides over the senate when the vice president is absent?

president pro tempore

who tries impeachment cases?

the senate

what role does the chief justice play in a presidential impeachment?

presides if the us president is on trial

what vote is required in the senate to convict an official in an impeachment trial

2/3 vote

what is the only penalty the senate can impose in an impeachment conviction?

removal from office

when are federal elections held?

the tuesday after the 1st monday in november

when does a new session of congress begin according to the 20th amendment?

at noon on january 3rd

how long does a term of congress last?

2 years

what protections do members of congress have during debates?

can’t be arrested (except for felony, treason or a breach of peace) and immune from slander

list at least 5 powers of congress in section 8

lay and collect taxes, can borrow money on us credit, declare war, coin money and fix weights/measures, and punish for counterfeiting

what is the “necessary and proper clause” also called?

the elastic cause

what power did congress lose in 1808?

importation of slaves

when can the writ of habeas corpus be suspended?

in cases of rebellion or invasion

can congress grant titles of nobility?

no

name 2 powers denied to states

coin money and make a treaty with another nation

how long is the president’s term?

4 years

what is the total number of electoral votes in the electoral college?

538 votes

how many votes are needed to win the presidency?

270 votes

who decides the election if no candidate wins a majority in the electoral college?

the house of representatives

what are the 3 qualifications to serve as president?

must be at least 35 years old, a natural born citizen, and must live in the us for at least 14 years

what is the line of succession for the presidency through the first 4 positions?

vice president → speaker of the house → president pro tempore → secretary of state

what is the president’s salary?

$400,000 + $50,000 expense account

who administers the presidential oath of office?

chief justice of the supreme court

what is the date of the presidential inauguration?

january 20

who is the commander in chief of the military?

the president

who has the power to declare war?

only congress

what is the president’s role in appointing cabinet members?

appointed by president with consent of the senate

how many executive departments make up the cabinet?

15

name 3 powers of the president

grant pardons and reprieves, make treaties, and make appointments

how long do federal judges serve?

life

what types of cases fall under federal court jurisdiction?

meaning of constitution, ambassadors, federal issues, maritime issues, controversies

in what situations does the supreme court have original jurisdiction?

representative from another country or involve a state

how many justices are there on the supreme court today?

9

what is judicial review?

the power of the court to determine whether an action is constitutional

what is extradition?

the process of surrendering a convicted or accused person to another state to face jurisdiction

how can the constitution be amended? (both proposal methods)

proposal - needs 2/3 vote of senate + house of reps OR 2/3 vote at a convention

ratification - needs legislatures of ¾ states OR conventions in ¾ states

what does the supremacy clause state?

the constitution is the supreme law of the land

how many states had to ratify the constitution before it went into effect?

9

on what date was the constitution ratified?

june 21, 1778

who is the us secretary of state?

Marco Rubio

who is the us secretary of justice attorney general?

Pamela Bondi

who is the speaker of the house of representatives and what is their political party?

Mike Johnson, republican

who is the president of the senate?

JD Vance

who is the senate majority leader and what is their political party?

John Thune, republican

who is the chief justice of the supreme court?

John Roberts

who is the governor of california and what is their political party?

Gavin Newsom, democrat

who are the 2 senators of california and what are their parties?

Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, both democrats

how many congressional districts are in california?

52

how many electoral college votes does california have?

54 (52 districts + 2 senators)