Studied by 5 people
date the constitution was ratified by congress
september 17, 1787
date the bill of right was ratified by congress
december 15, 1791
Goals of the preamble
To form a better country with equality, peace, justice, common defense, guaranteed freedom, and provided general welfare.
The main goal is to introduce what the constitution is about.
Article l (1)
legislative branch
Article ll (2)
executive branch
Article lll (3)
judicial branch
Article lV (4)
how states should interact with eachother
Article V (5)
how to change the constitution by adding amendments
Article Vl (6)
laws and treaties of the federal government are most important.Supremacy clause
Article Vll (7)
constitution is in effect when 9/13 states approve it. Ratifying the constitution
Bill of rights
the first 10 amendments to the constitution
Term+requirements for senator
Requirements- Must live in state which they are elected, be at least 30 years old, and be a U.S citizen for at least 9 years.
Term length- 6 years-represent people from their state/district
Term+requirements for representatives
Requirements- live in state which they are elected, be at least 25 years old, and be a U.S citizen for a least 7 years
Term length- 2 years-represent people from their state/district
Upper house (s or H)
senate
lower house (s or H)
house of representatives
elastic clause
congress can make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out its duties
powers of the senate
jury for impeachment proceedings, approve all foreign treaties, approve presidential appointments, if needed elect the vice president from top two electoral vote recipients
powers of the house
initiate charges of impeachment, all bills raising money must start in the house,if needed elect the president from top three electoral vote recipients
shared powers of congress
finance the nation government, lay and collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, establish standards of weights and measures, issue patents and copy rights, establish post offices and postal roads, defend the nation, declare war, maintain the armed forces, pass laws, establish other federal courts as needed, naturalization.
speaker of the house
Kevin Mccarthy, leader of the house of representatives.
president
requirements- native born american, 35 years old, 14 year residence of the U.S
Term length- 4 years, limit of 2 terms (8 years)
who is in executive branch
president, cabinet members, vice president, departments
powers of executive branch
sign or veto legislation.
send troops into battle.
negotiate treaties.
appoint cabinet members + ambassadors + supreme court justices + federal judges + U.S marshals.
call special sessions of congress and adjourn congress if houses can’t agree.
grant pardons + reprieves clemency + commute sentences.
sign executive agreements with countries.
executive privilege: does not have to release information
executive orders: directives by the president that have the force of a law
departments
health and human services
education
war/defense
labor
agriculture
cabinet positions
Vice president
head of treasury
secretary of state
head of homeland security
secretary of agriculture
President
Joe Biden
Vice President
Kamala Harris
Federal court system
The federal court system has three main levels: district courts (the trial court), circuit courts which are the first level of appeal, and the Supreme Court of the United States, the final level of appeal in the federal system.
justices on supreme court
9 justices
term: for life
judicial review
the ability of the court to declare a Legislative or Executive act a violation of the Constitution
supreme court cases heard directly
cases involving diplomats from foreign nations, disputes between a state and federal government, or a dispute between two states
how does the supreme court decide to see a case
justices decide which case they hear by “rule of four”: at least 4/9 justices agree to grant a writs of certiorari, if a writ is denied then the lower court decision stands, by certificate: when a lower court asks the supreme court to clarify a procedure or rule of law in order to help them decide on a case, reviews cases from lower federal courts and state courts
powers of judicial branch
to interpret federal laws, lays out the roles and powers of judicial branch
court of appeals
have no juries, judges sit on panels and decide the verdict, appellate jurisdiction so they hear appeals of cases decided on by lower courts, they hear appeals from federal agencies
creating amendments
An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose
supremacy clause
the laws and treaties of the U.S government are the top priority (law of the land).
powers to the state government
conduct elections, govern marriage laws, regulate intrastate commerce,set traffic standards, establish and maintain schools, determine the qualifications of voters, maintain the state militias (national guard)
powers to the national government
declare and engage in war, print and coin money, maintain an army+navy+air force, regulate interstate and foreign trade, admit new states, negotiate treaties with foreign countries, set up and maintain the post office, set rule for immigration
shared powers state+national
collect tax and borrow money, set up court system, create laws to maintain health+safety+welfare, set minimum wage, charter banks
bill to a law
It begins when a idea is formed by citizen or group
The congressperson takes this idea and writes a bill
The bill is given to the House of Representatives or Senate
The bill is given a number
sent to the appropriate committee
committee holds a hearing to study the bill through research
the bill is passed it’s sent to opposite house to be checked
two different versions they have a conference committee
bill goes to the president
can sign ,veto , pocket veto, or approve without his signature
Note 
Flashcard (44)