5 - (Civics) Principles of Government Pt2

Structure and Functions of: Federal Government, State Governments, and Local Governments

1-3

The US Constitution gives the structure/foundation of the federal government branches primarily in Articles #__ - __
( ESTABLISH and SEPARATE )

1

Article #__ outlines the Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Legislative Branch (Congress)
(extremely long as compared to Article I as framers wanted Congress to hold most power)

2

Article #__ outlines the Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Executive Branch
(extremely short as compared to Article II as framers wanted Congress to hold most power)

3

Article #__ outlines the Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Judicial Branch

4-7

The US Constitution gives the structure of the US government processes primarily in Articles #__ - __

4

Article #__ outlines the roles, rights, and privileges of the States and Their Citizens

5

Article #__ outlines the Amendment Process

6

Article #__ outlines the Maintenance of Previous Debts, Supremacy of the Constitution, and Oaths of Office

7

Article #__ outlines the Ratification Process

Constitutional Convention

a fierce debate occurred over the 1st Article/Congressional representation in the __________ __________ as
Small states argued for equal representation (1 state 1 vote)
Larger states thought this was unfair, arguing for proportional representation

The Great Compromise

combined two ideas of direct representation and proportional representation into a bicameral structure of Congress still used today
(aka “Connecticut Compromise”)

Senate

branch of Congress (legislature) determined by equal representation (the same for every nationwide): 2 senators per state

House of Representatives

branch of Congress (legislature) determined by proportional representation (based on decadal census)

lawmaking

Article I (Section 8) gives Congress (legislative branch) the power of…

elastic clause

states Congress has the power to create all laws that are "necessary and proper."
used throughout history to extend beyond their enumerated (or listed) powers into implied powers.

commerce clause

states Congress has the power to regulates interstate commerce
used to justify the expansion of the legislature over nationwide issues, arguing they could impact interstate commerce

committees

Within each house are various Congressional __________: groups that preview, amend, and decide on bills before they are presented to the entire body
Each member of Congress is assigned to multiple groups
Each group has a chairman (leader) who organizes and presides over it

majority

The _______ political party determines a committee’s chairperson (part of the reason Congressional dominance/presence by party matters so much)

Chambers of Congress

there are two…
House of Representatives - 435 members (2 year terms)
the Senate - 100 members (6 year terms)

Speaker of the House

leads the House of Representatives, selected by the membership of the majority party

Minority Leader

heads the House of Representatives’ minority party (under the majority’s Speaker of the House)

Vice President

officially the leader of the Senate, technically a member of the executive; may only vote in cases of ties

President Pro Tempore

the Senate is more typically led by the _______ ___ _______, traditionally the most senior member of the majority party.

executive

Article II of the Constitution establishes the _________ branch, which consists of the President + Vice President and the Cabinet + federal bureaucracy

veto

though President holds power of _____ over Congress’ laws, Congress can overturn it with a 2/3 vote from both chambers

federal bureaucracy

the power of the executive has grown over time (like Congress), primarily through expansion of the _______ _____________ (giving the executive discretionary power to enforce laws)

electoral college

Majority of Article II is dedicated to Presidential election via the _________ _______, created by framers to ensure President was representative of the states/ensuring rep. of states w small populations
People do not directly vote for the president, but rather a slate of electors who, in turn, vote for a candidate.

Commander in Chief

Article II outlines president as the '________ __ _____' (for 4 years at a time [22nd Amnd says max 2 terms])
this means President has direct and final authority over defense policy.

Congress

Article III addresses the judicial branch without providing its structure outside of establishing the Supreme Court, leaving the rest to…

Senate

Constitution's Article III establishes that justices to the Supreme Court are appointed by President, approved by the _______, and serve for life (or until retirement).

Marbury v. Madison

1801
Supreme Court ruled a federal court’s actions unconstitutional, establishing the power of Judicial Review (determining laws/rulings’ constitutionality) to the SC/federal judiciary

state government

set up similarly to the federal govt with a constitution and executive, legislative, & judicial branch
oversee all aspects of government that are not covered by federal jurisdiction

governor

state government’s executive head (title)

legislature

the state __________ passes state laws

judicial

the state _________ branch manages state and county courts

Local

_____ government functions on the closest level to the people

municipality

Mayors, city councilors, and other local government officials are appointed by the people who live in their…

public works

The structure and functions of local governments can vary pretty widely from city to city
Majority of them carry out the same basic roles: regulating emergency services, recreation, transportation network maintenance, regulating housing (+ property tax), overseeing schools, and carrying out ______ _____