Constitutional Scavegner Hunt

How often are representatives to be elected?

every 2 years

How old must a representative be to be elected?

25 years old (7 years a citizen)

How long is a term for a senate?

6 years

How were senators originally chosen?
Which amendment changed that?

choosen by the state legislature
17th- directly elected by the people

How old does someone have to be to be a senator?

30 years old (9 years a citizen)

Who is the president of the Senate and when can that person vote?

vice president
shall not vote unless there is a tie

Which legistative body has the power of impeachment?
Which body has the power to try the impeached official?

House of Representatives
Senate

Who shall officiate when a president is tried for impeachment?

chief justice of Supreme Court

What is the required vote that is necessary to convict someone who has been impeached?

2/3 (of the members present)

What is the only penalty that can be imposed on someone who has been impeached?

removal from office and disqualification from holding future office

Who decideds the times, places, manner for holding elections for congress?

state legislatures

In what federal body do all bills concerning taxes originate?

house of representatives

What fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto?

2/3

What happens when a president doesn't return a bill in 10 days and what is the exception to that rule?

It becomes a law, unless congress is adjourned

In section 8, the Constitution lists or enumerates the powers of Congress. List them.

Lay and collect, taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, establish naturalization, establish post office, declare war, raise and support army, etc.

In section 8, which clauses gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers?

"necessary and proper" clause (elastic clause)

In section 9, there are three limitations on the power of Congress to deny people rights. What are those three limitations?

no suspending habeaus corpus: can not arrest someone and not give them due process
no bill of attainer: No laws that are only a punishment
no ex post facto law: Can not make a law punishing someone for an act that happened before the law was passed

Name the powers of the president.

Commander and Chief, Pardons, make treaties, appoint ambassadors, nominate judges, fill vacancies during recesses

Name the body of Congress that must approve a treaty that the president has negotiated and the fraction of the vote they must approve it by.

senate with 2/3

Which body of Congress approves nominatiions?

senate

What is the term of office for Supreme Court justices? When may they be removed?

For life, during good behavior, can only be impeached for impeachable offenses (treason, bribery, high crimes and misdemeanors)

What is the topic of article 4?

relations among states

What does the Constitution say about how one state must regard the laws of another state?

“Full faith and credit” clause - respect other states laws

What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed amendment?

2/3 of both houses

What fraction of the states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified?

¾ of the states ratify it

What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between laws?

 Constitution and Federal laws are the supreme law of the land (supremacy clause)

What qualification for holding any public office is forbidden?

no religious tests shall ever be required

How many states had ratify the Constitution?

9 of 13 states

Name the five basic civil liberties guaranteed in the 1st amendment.

freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

Put the ninth amendment in your own words.

Rights not specified in the Constitution are retained by the people (left to the people)

Put the 10th amendmentin your own words.

Powers not given to the US government are reserved to the states, and the people.

What phrase is repeated in both the fifth and fourteenth amendments?

due process

Which amendment defined citizenship?

14th amendment

Which amendment prohibited alcohol?
Which amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol?

18th amendment (repealed)

21st amendment (prohibited)

Which amendment decided that a person could be president for only two terms?

22nd amendment

Which amendment establishes what to do if the president is incapacitated and can't perform his duties?

25th amendment

Article 1

Legislative Branch - requirements, powers, rules, etc.

Article 2

Executive branch - requirements, powers, etc.

Article 3

Judicial Branch - requirements, powers?, etc.

Article 4

Relationship between the States (how states have to respect other states laws, examples - full faith and credit)

Article 5

Amendment PROCESS - explains how Amendments can be made and the process of ratifying them, to add/fix the Constitution

Article 6

Supremacy Clause = When a federal law and a state law are in conflict, then the federal law is supreme and will be the law of the land.

Article 7

Ratification (Process) - explains how the Constitution will be ratified and legally will become the “new” Constitution.  (allowed states to decide who can vote, but allowed the people to vote in favor/against this new constitution.)  Needed at least 9 states to be ratified.