U.S. Constitution: Key Facts on Congress, Presidency, Amendments, and Civil Liberties

How often are Representatives to be elected?

Every 2 years

How old must a Representative be to be elected?

25 years old

How long is the term for a senator?

6 years

How were senators originally chosen? Which amendment changed that?

Originally by State legislatures, changed by the 17th Amendment

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

30 years old

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

VP - votes in the case of a tie

Which legislative body has the power of impeachment and which body has the power to try an impeached official?

House has the power to impeach (bring up the charges); Senate holds the trial

Who shall officiate when a president is tried for impeachment?

Chief Justice

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

2/3 vote of the Senate

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 decides the times, places, and 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 of both houses of Congress

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 six of 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 clause gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers?

Necessary and Proper Clause (aka the "Elastic Clause")

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

A. No end to slave trade until possibly 1808. B. No suspending Habeas Corpus (cannot arrest someone and deny due process). C. No Bill of Attainder (no laws that are only a punishment). D. No Ex Post Facto Laws (cannot punish someone for an act that happened before the law was passed).

Name three powers of the President.

Commander in Chief, grants pardons, makes treaties, appoints ambassadors, nominates judges, fills 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 a 2/3 vote

Which body of Congress approves nominations?

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 IV?

Relationship between the states

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

"Full faith and credit" clause - must 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?

3/4 of the states

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

The Constitution and Federal laws are the supreme law of the land

What qualification for holding any public office is forbidden?

No religious test shall ever be required

How many states had to ratify the Constitution?

9 states

Name the five basic civil liberties guaranteed in the First Amendment.

Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition (R.A.P.P.S)

Put the Ninth Amendment in your own words.

Rights not specified in the Constitution are retained by the people

Put the Tenth Amendment in 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 prohibited it; 21st Amendment repealed it

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