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What is the primary function of political parties?
To nominate candidates and structure political debate
What is an example of checks and balances?
The President vetoing a bill passed by Congress
What is the main role of the legislative branch?
To make laws
What was a key weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The federal government lacked the power to tax
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
By a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
To protect individual freedoms from government interference
The Necessary and Proper Clause is also known as what?
The Elastic Clause
What is the process called when the Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional?
Judicial review
Which chamber of Congress has the power to impeach the president?
The House of Representatives
Which chamber of Congress holds the trial for an impeachment?
The Senate
Who has the power to regulate interstate commerce?
Congress
What Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
What is the purpose of the Electoral College?
To formally select the President and Vice President
How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?
270
What is the primary responsibility of the executive branch?
To enforce laws
Who is responsible for foreign policy and negotiating treaties?
The President
Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
19th Amendment
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
26th Amendment
Which amendment abolished poll taxes?
24th Amendment
Which Supreme Court case legalized abortion in the first trimester?
Roe v. Wade
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
What is the term length for a U.S. Supreme Court Justice?
Lifetime appointment
What was the main argument of the Anti-Federalists against the Constitution?
Lack of a Bill of Rights
Which article of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch?
Article I
Which article of the Constitution establishes the executive branch?
Article II
Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?
Article III
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What is the supremacy clause?
Federal law takes precedence over state law
What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?
Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states
What is the primary function of interest groups?
To influence public policy and legislation
What does the term "incumbent" mean in elections?
A candidate who currently holds office
What is gerrymandering?
Manipulating district boundaries to favor one political party
What is the role of the Speaker of the House?
To preside over the House of Representatives
What is the role of the Senate Majority Leader?
To set the Senate's legislative agenda
Which house of Congress confirms presidential appointments?
The Senate
What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
6 years
What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?
2 years
What is the term length for the President?
4 years
Which amendment limits the President to two terms?
22nd Amendment
Which amendment provides for presidential succession?
25th Amendment
What is the establishment clause?
Prevents the government from establishing a national religion
What is the free exercise clause?
Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely
Which amendment guarantees the right to bear arms?
2nd Amendment
Which amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures?
4th Amendment
Which Supreme Court case ruled that schools cannot sponsor prayer?
Engel v. Vitale
Which Supreme Court case required police to inform suspects of their rights?
Miranda v. Arizona
Which Supreme Court case ruled that separate but equal was unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education
Which Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty?
Gregg v. Georgia
Which Supreme Court case limited Congress' use of the Commerce Clause?
United States v. Lopez
Which case ruled that flag burning is protected speech?
Texas v. Johnson
Which case ruled that states must provide attorneys for defendants who can't afford them?
Gideon v. Wainwright
What is a filibuster?
A tactic used in the Senate to delay a vote by extending debate
What is cloture?
A Senate rule that ends a filibuster with a three-fifths majority vote
What is the role of the Federal Reserve?
To regulate monetary policy and interest rates
What is fiscal policy?
Government policy related to taxation and spending
What is monetary policy?
Regulation of the money supply and interest rates by the Federal Reserve
What is the main source of revenue for the federal government?
Income taxes
What is the national debt?
The total amount of money the government owes
What is the purpose of the War Powers Act?
To limit the President’s ability to deploy troops without congressional approval
What is judicial activism?
The belief that courts should interpret the Constitution based on modern circumstances
What is judicial restraint?
The belief that courts should defer to elected officials and avoid policy-making
What is the iron triangle?
The relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies
What is the revolving door?
The movement of individuals between government jobs and lobbying positions
What are earmarks?
Federal funds designated for specific local projects
What is pork barrel spending?
Government spending directed at specific districts to gain political support
What is an executive order?
A presidential directive that carries the force of law without congressional approval
What is executive privilege?
The President's ability to withhold information from Congress or the courts
What is the purpose of a signing statement?
To express the President's interpretation of a bill when signing it into law
What is the role of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?
To prepare the federal budget and monitor government spending
What is the role of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)?
To provide nonpartisan economic analysis to Congress
What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
To allow citizens access to government documents
What is the Hatch Act?
A law that limits political activities of government employees
What is the role of the Council of Economic Advisors?
To advise the President on economic policy
What is the Electoral College?
The system used to elect the President of the United States
What is a swing state?
A state that is closely contested in presidential elections
What is the coattail effect?
The influence of a popular presidential candidate on congressional elections
What is a midterm election?
Congressional elections that occur midway through a President’s term
What is a caucus?
A meeting of party members to select candidates or decide policy
What is an open primary?
A primary election where voters do not need to be party members
What is the delegate model of representation?
Representatives act according to the wishes of their constituents
What is the trustee model of representation?
Representatives use their own judgment when making decisions
What is the partisan model of representation?
Representatives act in accordance with their political party
What is agenda setting?
The media's ability to influence which issues receive public attention
What is the bandwagon effect?
When people support a candidate because they appear to be popular
What is the supremacy clause?
Establishes that federal law overrides state law
What is the Commerce Clause?
Grants Congress the power to regulate interstate and international commerce
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its powers
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
Requires states to recognize the laws and records of other states
What is selective incorporation?
The gradual application of the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment
What is judicial implementation?
The process by which court decisions are translated into policy
What is the impeachment process?
The House brings charges, and the Senate holds a trial to decide removal
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