US Government: Amendments, Checks and Balances, and the Bureaucracy

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the summaries of the 27 Amendments, the system of checks and balances between the branches of government, the powers of the bureaucracy, and the voting margins required for various federal actions.

1st Amendment

Guarantees Free Speech, Press, Petition, and the Free Exercise of Religion.

2nd Amendment

The Right to Bear Arms.

3rd Amendment

No Quartering of Soldiers.

4th Amendment

Protection against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures.

5th Amendment

Protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and establishes eminent domain.

6th Amendment

Right to a lawyer, fair and speedy trial, and the right to confront witnesses against you.

7th Amendment

Citizens have the right to a jury trial in federal non-criminal cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and unreasonable bail.

9th Amendment

States that rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution still belong to the people.

10th Amendment

All powers not given to the national government go to the states.

11th Amendment

Citizens cannot sue a state in federal court without the state's permission.

12th Amendment

Established separate electoral college ballots for President and Vice President.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Reiterated citizenship for freed slaves and includes the privileges and immunities clause, due process clause, and equal protection clause.

15th Amendment

Extended the right to vote to all males.

16th Amendment

Grants Congress the power to levy an income tax.

17th Amendment

Senators are elected by the people of the state rather than by legislatures.

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol.

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage (women could now vote).

20th Amendment

Moved up the time national office holders take office and established that the VP takes over if something happens to the Pres.

21st Amendment

Repealed prohibition.

22nd Amendment

Limited the president's terms to two $4$ year terms, with a maximum of $10$ years.

23rd Amendment

Gave D.C. $3$ electoral votes.

24th Amendment

Abolished poll taxes.

25th Amendment

Procedures for if the Pres becomes unfit for duty.

26th Amendment

Granted the right to vote to $18$ year olds.

27th Amendment

Congress cannot increase their pay in the same term.

Legislative Check on the Executive (Veto)

The power to override a presidential veto with a $2$ vote in each house of congress.

House of Representatives Impeachment Power

The power to impeach (accuse) the president or a federal judge.

Senate Impeachment Power

Acts as the jury for the impeachment trial and convicts or acquits the president or federal judge.

Bully Pulpit

An executive branch check on the legislative branch consisting of appealing directly to the people.

Judicial Review

The power of the Judicial Branch to check both the Legislative and Executive Branches.

Bureaucratic Discretion

The power given to agencies by Congress to implement laws using their expert judgement.

Bureaucratic Rulemaking

The process by which agencies create regulations to carry out laws; these regulations have the same effect as laws.

Margin to override a presidential veto

$3$ majority in the House of Representatives and $\frac{3}{4}$ majority in the Senate.

Margin to ratify a treaty

$\frac{1}{2}$ majority in the Senate.

Margin to impeach a president

A simple majority (half plus one) in the House of Representatives.

Margin to convict an impeached president

$\frac{3}{4}$ majority in the Senate.

Margin to elect the president

A simple majority of $270$ electoral votes.

Margin to propose a constitutional amendment

$\frac{3}{4}$ majority in both houses of congress or if $\frac{2}{3}$ of state legislatures request a convention.

Margin to ratify a constitutional amendment

$\frac{3}{4}$ of states.