Flashcards U.S. Government: Congress, Presidency, and Supreme Court Key Facts

Article I

The Legislative Branch

Bicameralism

A two-house legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate

House of Representatives size

435 members total

House of Representatives age requirement

At least 25 years old

House of Representatives term length

2 years per term

House of Representatives reelection limit

Unlimited number of terms

Senate size

100 members total (2 per state)

Senate age requirement

At least 30 years old

Senate term length

6 years per term

Senate reelection limit

Unlimited number of terms

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States

Powers of Congress

The power to levy taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, and establish post offices

How a Bill becomes a Law

Introduced, passed by both the House and Senate, and signed by the President (or passed via a veto override)

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature where state representation is based on population

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for a unicameral legislature where each state receives exactly one vote regardless of size

Connecticut Compromise

The agreement to establish a bicameral legislature with a population-based House and an equal-representation Senate

Article II

The Executive Branch

President age requirement

At least 35 years old

President citizenship requirement

Must be a natural-born US citizen

President residency requirement

Must have lived in the USA for at least 14 years

Powers of the President

Commander in Chief, making appointments, negotiating treaties, and granting pardons

Legislative Checks on the Executive

Congress can override a presidential veto, impeach the President, and refuse to confirm appointments

Judicial Checks on the Executive

The courts can declare executive actions unconstitutional

22nd Amendment

Limits a President to serving a maximum of two full terms

Electoral College calculation

Total number of Senators plus Representatives for each state

States with split electoral votes

Maine and Nebraska

Electoral votes needed to win

270 electoral votes

Article III

The Judicial Branch

Current Chief Justice

John G. Roberts, Jr.

Most recent Supreme Court appointment

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Supreme Court size

9 justices total

Supreme Court main job

To interpret laws and decide if they violate the US Constitution

Supreme Court term length

Serve for life during good behavior

Court of Appeals size

13 appellate courts

District Courts size

94 federal judicial district courts

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional

Judicial Independence

The principle that judges should be insulated from political pressure and public opinion

Judicial Supremacy

The concept that the Supreme Court has the final authority on interpreting the Constitution

Justices appointment process

Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate

Supreme Court size,9 justices total

Supreme Court main job,To interpret laws and decide if they violate the US Constitution

Supreme Court term length,Serve for life during good behavior

Court of Appeals size,13 appellate courts

District Courts size,94 federal judicial district courts

Judicial Review,The power of the courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional

Judicial Independence,The principle that judges should be insulated from political pressure and public opinion

Judicial Supremacy,The concept that the Supreme Court has the final authority on interpreting the Constitution

Justices appointment process,Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate