Studied by 45 people
What type of constitution does the US have?
Codified
Entrenched
What does “judiciable” mean?
A constitution which represents higher law and therefore allows other laws to be judged against it
What does the constitution being “judiciable” mean for judges?
they can interpret actions and laws against the constitution to judge whether they are “constitutional”
How many amendments have been made to the constitution?
27
Which amendments form the bill of rights?
The first 10
What the effect of the constitution being short in the length?
It is invariably vague
What may have the vague language been a result of?
compromise between the founding fathers since they couldn’t agree on principles such as the role of the states, central government and slavery
What is the vague nature of the constitution demonstrated by?
The difference between enumerated powers and implied powers
What does the “necessary and proper clause” allow?
Grants congress powers necessary to allow it to carry out enumerated powers
What has the 2nd amendments led to?
difficulty for Presidents passing gun control policies
Which article is detailed and specific ?
Article I
Why did the founding fathers ensure to give congress specific and explicit powers?
So that they could not be usurped by the president
What has the vagueness of article II led to?
A wider interpretation of presidential power
What has the vagueness of the document allowed for?
The constitution to adapt to changing circumstances
What is it argued the founding fathers achieved instead of “separation of powers”?
Sharing powers
What do branches require in order to exercise their powers?
Two branches to act together
What are the 7 checks that congress has on the president?
Legislation
Veto override
Power of the purse
Declare war
Impeachment
Ratify treaties
Ratify appointments
What is the key role of congress?
To produce legislation
How can the president propose legislation?
State of the union address
What did Obama ask congress to do in every state of the union address from 2010 to 2015 yet failed every time?
Immigration reform
What does congress need to override a president veto?
A super majority 2/3 in both house
What does congress have the right to do due to the power of the purse?
raise taxes and spend the money raised by national government
What does the power of the purse prevent the president from doing?
Spending money without consent of representatives
What can not be done without a congressional law?
Money being allocated for federal policies
Where should appropriations bill originate from?
The House of Representatives
What is an appropriation bill?
A proposed law form congress which authorises spending of government and tax payers money
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