US constitution study guide

What is impeachment? Who tries an impeachment?

formally charging a public official with misconduct in office, the Senate

Why are there three branches of government?

to make sure any branch doesn’t become too powerful

How long is a senator’s term?

6 years

How long is a H of R member’s term?

2 years

How long is a president/vp’s term?

4 years

What is staggered terms? Who does it apply to?

1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection every 2 years, senators ??

How many years total can the President serve? Why?

10 years, if a person (most likely the Vice-President) takes over for a president who can no longer serve their term

What are three requirements to be the President of the US?

must be at least 35 years of age, be a natural born citizen, and live in the United States for at least 14 years

Who is the head of the executive branch?

president

What is the head of the Senate called?

vice president

What is the head of the H of R called?

speaker of the house

How many senators are there?

100 senators

How is the number of the H of R members determined?

by the state’s population

What are the three requirements to be a member of the H of R?

must be at least 25 years old, an American citizen for 7 years, and live in the states they represent

How many H of R members are in California?

53 representatives

What does the Preamble state?

it states the reasons for a new government

What is the Supreme Law of the Land?

the constitution

What is the most important role of the legislative branch?

make laws

Where must a bill be passed before it goes to the president?

both houses of congress

What is checks and balances?

to ensure no branch gets too powerful

How long does a Supreme Court justice serve?

for life

What is treason?

to try to overthrow your country's government or help your country's enemies during war

What is a pocket veto?

when the president refuses to sign a bill for ten days

Who can declare war?

congress

What is the VP’s main job in the Senate?

they vote when there is a tie

What is the congressional record?

the written account of everything said in Congress

If the constitution does not give powers to the federal government who do they belong to?

to the people

What is the clause that allows the Constitution to stretch? What does it mean?

elastic clause, grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper

When are elections held?

the first tuesday following the first monday in november in even numbered years

Who elects the president?

electors through electoral college

Congress is made up of what?

the senate and house of representatives

What branch of government can declare laws unconstitutional?

the judicial branch

What is the President’s executive department members called?

the cabinet

What is congressional immunity?

members of Congress can't be sued or prosecuted for anything they say in Congress

What is a constituent?

people who live in the home state and districts as their members of Congress (people who the members of Congress work for)

What is naturalization?

procedure by which a citizen of a foreign nation become a citizen of the United States

What is judicial review?

the right of the Supreme Court to determine if a law violated the Constitution

What date does the new president take office?

January 20 or 21 if the 20 falls on a sunday

What is a census? What does it help determine?

a count of the citizens of the USA that is taken every 10 years

What is a quorum?

the minimum number of representatives that must be present for the senate or H of R to vote

Who is in the president’s cabinet?

The heads of 15 executive departments and the vice presidents

What is the president’s salary?

$400,000

When was slavery ended?

1808

What does levy taxes mean?

To enforce taxes onto people