U.S. Constitution: Articles and Branches of Government

Vocabulary flashcards covering the articles of the U.S. Constitution, the qualifications, powers, and checks of the three branches of government, the amendment process, and key constitutional clauses.

House of Representatives

The legislative body where state representation is based on population, with qualifications requiring members to be at least $25$ years old and a citizen for at least $7$ years.

Senate

The legislative body consisting of $2$ members per state, requiring members to be at least $30$ years old and a citizen for at least $9$ years.

Powers of Congress

The enumerated authorities granted to the legislative branch, specifically including the powers to make laws, levy taxes, and declare war.

Appropriate

The legislative authority regarding government funding and the allocation of money ($$).

Legislative Checks on the Executive Branch

Powers held by Congress to check presidential power, including overriding a veto, impeaching the president, ratifying treaties, and withholding funding.

Legislative Checks on the Judicial Branch

Powers held by Congress to check the judiciary, including approving judges, impeaching judges, proposing constitutional amendments, and creating courts.

Article 2 (The Executive Branch)

The constitutional section granting executive power to the president and vice president to enforce laws, noting they are the only elected officials serving all Americans and are elected by the electoral college.

Presidential Qualifications and Duties

Requirements to be at least $35$ years old and a native-born citizen, with the mandatory legal duty to deliver the State of the Union address.

Vice President

An executive official who must be at least $35$ years old and native-born, serving as president of the Senate and acting as a tie-breaker.

Presidential Perks and Roles

Compensation and executive designations, including a salary of $\$400{,}000$, a $\$15{,}000$ expense account, and the roles of Chief Diplomat and Commander in Chief.

Article III (The Judicial Branch)

The branch of government given the power to interpret the law.

Jurisdiction

The legal authority granted to a court to hear a case.

Federal Court Hierarchy

The structure of the judicial branch, organized from lowest to highest as Trial / Lower Court, Appellate (Appolate) Court, and the Supreme Court (SC).

Judicial Review Powers

The authority of the courts to declare executive actions unconstitutional and declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.

Article 4 (Full Faith and Credit)

The article establishing reciprocity among states and governing policies regarding new states.

Article 5 (Amendment Process)

The procedure to amend the Constitution, requiring a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote in both the House and Senate (or a special convention called by $\frac{2}{3}$ of all states), followed by ratification by $\frac{3}{4}$ of all states.

Article 6 (Supremacy Clause)

Designates the Constitution as the highest law and Supreme law in the U.S., requiring all officials to take an oath to the Constitution.

Article 7 (Ratification)

The constitutional requirement that $9$ of the $13$ original states ($\frac{9}{13}$) had to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

A constitutional provision authorizing Congress to make any laws necessary to run the government.