Government Study Guide for Unit 4 Test

Checks Congress has on the Presidency (other than impeachment)

1. Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote.

2. Congress controls the federal budget and can refuse to fund presidential programs.

Checks the President has on Congress

1. The President can veto bills passed by Congress.

2. The President can issue executive orders to direct government operations.

Check the President has on the Supreme Court

• The President nominates federal judges and Supreme Court Justices.

Check Congress has on the Supreme Court

• The Senate confirms judicial appointments, and Congress can impeach judges.

States are called “laboratories of democracy” because they

allow states to experiment with unique policies that can serve as models for national legislation.

What is the Supremacy clause, and what does it do?

establishes that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, overriding conflicting state laws.

The right of the Senate to ratify or reflect a treaty made by the president is an example of?

an example of checks and balances.

What are the age and citizenship requirements for members of the House and Members of the Senate?

Members of the House must be at least 25 years old and U.S. citizens for seven years, while Senators must be at least 30 years old and citizens for nine years.

What is equal representation? What is proportional representation? What is the type of proportionality in each chamber an why?

Equal representation means each state gets the same number of votes regardless of population (the Senate)

Proportional representation means representation is based on population size (the House).

In which chamber must all money (tax) bills begin?

All revenue and tax bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

What specific role does the House of Representatives have in the process of impeaching and removing a President?

The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President by voting to approve articles of impeachment.

What is the vote threshold required in the Senate to convict and remove the President from office?

A two-thirds vote

How does the power of the executive branch today compare with the power of the executive branch in 1800?

The executive branch today has significantly more power than in 1800 due to population growth, expanded federal responsibilities, and modern global challenges.

Why has Presidential power grown over time?

Presidential power has grown over time due to wars, economic crises, technological changes, and the expansion of federal agencies.

What did the Supreme Court decide about presidential immunity in In Trump v the United States?

the Supreme Court ruled that a president has absolute immunity for official acts within their “exclusive area of constitutional authority.”

Why are administrative agencies important? What are some examples of administrative agencies?

they create and enforce detailed regulations for complex industries, with examples including the EPA, FDA, and FCC.

What is judicial review?

the power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

What type of cases can be heard by the Supreme Court in original jurisdiction?

cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, consuls, and cases where a state is a party.

What are the basic steps required to pass a bill through the House of Representatives?

To pass a bill in the House, it must be introduced, referred to committee, debated, amended, and voted on by the full House before moving to the Senate.