AP Gov AMSCO Topic 1.6: Principles of the American Government Study Guide

Where does Congress operate?

Congress operates on Capitol Hill.

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

There are 435 members in the House of Representatives.

How many Senators are there in Congress?

There are 100 Senators.

What are the primary responsibilities of Congress?

1. Make laws

2. Control spending

3. Regulate commerce

4. Declare war and oversee the military

5. Approve appointments and treaties (Senate only)

6. Ensure the executive branch is executing the laws

7. Impeach the president/federal judge/gov official (house of Reps) and hold a trial to decide whether or not to remove the president from office (Senate)

8. Represent the people

a. House of Reps represent the people

b. Senate represents the state

Stakeholder

people or groups who will be affected by the policies

How do stakeholders influence Congress?

Stakeholders exert influence via special interest groups and can lobby lawmakers.

How can citizens engage with their representatives?

Individuals can contact their representatives and senators to advocate for changes.

What is the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?

It investigates complaints of discrimination in the workplace.

Where can voters find federal candidate donation information?

On the Federal Election Commission's website.

Which agencies deal with federal crimes?

The FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

What entities are included in the Judicial Branch?

The US Supreme Court, lower appeals courts, and trial courts.

What power allows courts to check the legislative and executive branches?

Judicial review.

What are some reasons citizens access federal courts?

To challenge unfair government actions, appeal wrongful convictions, and question public policies.

What rights do citizens have regarding freedom of expression in the Judicial Branch?

Citizens can express unpopular or antigovernmental ideas.

What protections do citizens have in terms of education and marriage?

Citizens can attend equal schools without racial limitations and marry whom they want.

Checks and Balances

Limits each branch puts on each other

How does the President check Congress?

1. The House of Rep and Senate can make a bill.

2. Bill gets moved to the president if 50% + 1 of Congress, both houses, agree

3. President can veto or accept the law

4. 4a. Once the bill is accepted, it moves into the United States Code

5. 4b. If the bill is vetoed, Congress can try for a two-thirds override

6. 5. If the override works, then the bill is moved into the United States Code

Bill

A proposal for new legislation that can be made by the House of Representatives and Senate.

How does the president accept a law?

by not doing anything to it for 10 days

Veto

Reject a law proposed by Congress.

Pocket Veto

Refusal to sign a bill at the end of a legislative session.

United States Code

The nation's body of federal statutes.

Two-Thirds Override

A super majority vote in each house of Congress to overcome a presidential veto.

How does the Congress check the President and his/her cabinet and supreme court choices?

1. The President appoints federal judges and cabinet members

2. The Senate can enact advice and consent

3. Appointed Cabinet secretaries and Supreme Court judges sit before the Senate committee for their confirmation hearing

Advice and Consent

suggest appointees and formally approve most presidential appointments

How does the Congress check the President?

1. The House of Reps can enact an impeachment on the President, federal judge, or another official of wrongdoing

2. The Senate then holds a trial for the accused with the Chief Justice presiding as the judge at the trial

3. For the president to be removed, the Senate needs to have a 2/3 majority vote yes

Impeachment

accusation of wrongdoing

How many presidents have been impeached as of 2025?

3

Which 3 presidents have been impeached?

1. Andrew Johnson

2. Bill Clinton

3. Donald Trump