Greaves MidTerm

What is Congress?

Congress is a bicameral legislature made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What are the requirements for the House of Representatives?

Members must be at least 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years. Representation is based on state population.

What are the requirements for the Senate?

Senators must be at least 30 years old and a citizen for 9 years. There are exactly 2 Senators per state, totaling 100.

What is Article 1, Section 8?

This section lists the powers of Congress, including taxing, borrowing, and coining money. It also contains the Elastic Clause, allowing Congress to expand its powers.

What are the limits on government as per Article 1, Sections 9 & 10?

The federal and state governments cannot pass bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or grant titles of nobility.

What is an Ex Post Facto Law?

A law that punishes an act that was legal at the time it was committed.

What is a Bill of Attainder?

A law that punishes an individual or group without granting them a hearing or trial.

What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus?

A legal order requiring authorities to produce evidence and explain why a person has been arrested.

What are the requirements to be President?

Must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the US for 14 years.

What is the Electoral College?

The President is elected by the Electoral College, which consists of a state's number of Senators and Representatives.

What is the magic number to win the presidency?

The magic number to win the presidency is 270 electoral votes.

What are the powers of the President?

The President acts as Commander in Chief, can grant pardons for federal crimes, and can appoint ambassadors and Supreme Court judges.

What is the 'Advice and Consent' Trap?

Presidential appointments require the approval of the Senate, not the House or Congress.

Who can declare war?

Only Congress can declare war; the President cannot.

Who can introduce bills?

Only members of Congress can introduce bills; the President cannot.

What is the impeachment process?

The House votes to impeach, and the Senate holds the trial. If convicted, the individual is removed from office.

What is the structure of the Judicial Branch?

Judicial power is vested in one Supreme Court, with Congress able to create inferior courts.

What is jurisdiction in legal terms?

A trial must occur in the exact jurisdiction where the crime happened.

What is Rendition or Extradition?

The process of returning a criminal to the jurisdiction where the crime occurred.

What is defined as treason in Article III?

Treason is defined as levying war against the United States.

What does Article IV govern?

Article IV governs the addition of new states to the United States.

Republican Form of Government

A system where there are no kings, and citizens elect other citizens to represent them.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must recognize the laws and legal proceedings of other states, such as New York recognizing Florida laws.

Federal Question

Any issue or problem that arises under the US Constitution or federal laws.

US District Courts

There are 94 total; these are the trial courts where federal cases begin.

US Courts of Appeals

There are 13 total circuit courts (12 regional); the Second Circuit consists of New York, Vermont, and Connecticut.

US Supreme Court

The ultimate appellate court in the federal court system.

Civil Case

A legal case where the person initiating the suit is the Plaintiff, and the person being sued is the Civil Defendant.

Criminal Case

A legal case where the Prosecutor brings the suit against the Criminal Defendant.

Federalism

The sharing or division of power between the federal government and the state governments.

Dual Federalism

A period (1789 - 1936) where federal and state governments operated strictly within their own independent spheres.

Cooperative Federalism

A period (1937 - Present) where federal and state governments began working together, initiated by the Great Depression.

Age and Citizenship Requirements for President

35 years old, 14 years resident, and natural-born citizen.

Age and Citizenship Requirements for Senator

30 years old and 9 years a citizen.

Age and Citizenship Requirements for Representative

25 years old and 7 years a citizen.

Calculation of Electoral Votes

By adding the number of Senators (always two) to the state's number of Representatives.

Electoral Votes Required to Win Presidency

270 electoral votes.

Electoral Votes for NY, FL, TX, and CA

NY: 27, FL: 30, TX: 40, CA: 53.

Approval Needed for Appointing Ambassadors and Supreme Court Judges

The Senate must approve these appointments.

Can the President Declare War?

No, only Congress can declare war; Presidents use 'military action' to avoid impeachment triggers.

Who Can Introduce a Bill into Congress?

Only members of the House or Senate can introduce a bill.

Penalty for Impeached Federal Official

Immediate removal from office and disqualification from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.

Ex Post Facto Law

'After the fact'; punishing someone retroactively for an act that was legal when committed.

Bill of Attainder

A law punishing someone without a trial or hearing; modern example includes ICE detentions lacking due process.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

'Produce the body'; demands the government explain why someone has been arrested.

Elastic Clause

Found in Article 1, Section 8; allows Congress to expand its powers to carry out its duties.

Rendition (or Extradition)

The process of sending a person back to the jurisdiction where they committed a crime.

Definition of Treason in Article 3

Levying war against the United States.