Constitution Study Guide

Who is able to introduce a bill on the floor of Congress?

Members of Congress

What can the president do after a bill has passed both houses of Congress and comes to his desk?

1. Sign it into law.

2. Veto the bill.

3. Ignore the bill (Pocket veto)

4. Allow the bill to become a law without taking action.

What article addresses the legislative branch?

Article 1

What article addresses the executive branch?

Article 2

What article addresses the judicial branch?

Article 3

What are the steps to make a bill become a law?

1. Bill gets introduced by senate member.

2. Committee meets and reviews bill in a committee hearing.

3. The bill is amended and debated and the specifics are decided.

4. Floor consideration occurs where the bill is voted on by the House or Senate?

5. If it is passed, it has to go to the other chamber and be passed there as well.

6. If both chambers pass the bill, it goes to the president where he can decide what to do with it.

Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

Chief John Roberts

What is the ideological breakdown of the Supreme Court?

6 conservatives, 3 liberals

How do justices get chosen to be on the Supreme Court?

They are appointed by the president for life.

How does this encourage an independent judicial branch?

It allows them to apply the law with only justice in mind, and not electoral or political concerns.

What is the length of term for a SCOTUS justice?

Life term

What jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have?

Original and Appellate

What jurisdiction do district courts have?

Original

What jurisdiction do courts of appeal have?

Appellate

Why did congress create the court of appeals?

to relieve the Supreme Court’s caseload

Which is the only court actually mentioned in Article 3 of the Constitution?

The Supreme Court

How many justices must agree to hear a case for cert to be granted?

4 Justices

What are the 5 criteria for granting cert to a case?

1. Conflict among lower courts?

2. Importance?

3. Adequate percolation?

4. Involvement of federal government?

5. Intractable issues or other considerations?

What are 3 expressed powers of Congress?

1. Coining money.

2. Declaring war.

3. Making laws.

What is a check the executive branch holds over the judicial branch?

Appointing judges/justices.

What is a check the judicial branch has over the other ones?

Declaring laws unconstitutional

Which of the following gives Congress the power to regulate trade or business between states?

The Commerce Clause

Which of the following clauses have expanded the power of the federal government?

The Supremacy Clause

In which amendment is the equal protection clause?

14th

What are the freedoms in the first amendment?

1. Press

2. Religion

3. Assembly

4. Petition

5. Speech

What is the 4th amendment?

No unreasonable searches or seizures

What is the 8th amendment?

No cruel and unusual punishment

Which amendment provides the right to an attorney?

6th

Which amendment protects a person’s rights when accused of a crime?

5th

What is a clause in the United States Constitution that gives Congress the power to pass laws that are necessary to carry out the other powers of the federal government?

The Necessary and Proper Clause or Elastic Clause

What is the court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person in custody or under restraint?

Habeas Corpus

Which amendment says the powers not given to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people?

10th amendment

What is the 14th amendment?

Due process, Citizenship, and Equal Protection