GOPO Facts

What is the significance of the Marbury v. Madison case (1803)?

It gave the U.S. Supreme Court the right of judicial review.

What did the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) ruling accomplish?

It made public school segregation illegal.

Where do Republicans, Democrats, and Moderates fall on the political spectrum?

Republicans are on the right, Democrats are on the left, and Moderates are in the middle.

What key constitutional principles did McCulloch v. Maryland uphold?

The elastic clause and the supremacy clause.

Who opposed the Constitution in colonial America?

The Anti-Federalists.

What purpose did the Declaration of Independence serve for the colonies?

It justified their decision to become an independent nation and listed grievances against the king.

How is representation determined in the U.S. Congress?

In the House of Representatives, it is based on population; in the Senate, it is based on equality.

Who was the primary author of the U.S. Constitution?

James Madison.

What did Anti-federalists agree to in order to support constitutional ratification?

The passage of the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments).

What was the main argument of the Anti-Federalist Paper Brutus #1?

A confederation of 13 state governments would better protect people's liberty than one strong central government.

How did Anti-Federalists view the Bill of Rights?

As a limit on the power of government.

What are the steps for proposing an amendment to the Constitution?

It must be proposed by 2/3 of Congress and approved by ¾ of the states.

What was the first form of government in the nation's history?

The Articles of Confederation.

What did Shays’ Rebellion demonstrate?

The need for a stronger central government than that provided by the Articles of Confederation.

What are the three major concepts of the U.S. Constitution?

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism.

Who were the primary authors of the Federalist Papers?

Madison, Hamilton, and Jay.

What concern did James Madison have regarding democracy?

The tyranny of the majority (masses).

What does Federalist #10 argue?

Factions can be controlled in a large republic through separation of powers and federalism.

What is outlined in Federalist #51?

The need for checks and balances between the three branches of government.

What powers are granted to Congress by Article I of the U.S. Constitution?

Enumerated, delegated, expressed, and stated powers.

What are implied powers?

Powers suggested by the expressed powers.

What is the elastic clause?

It gives Congress the power to make all laws deemed necessary and proper to exercise its other powers.

What are inherent powers?

Powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution but naturally belonging to any sovereign government.

What are reserved powers?

Powers held for the states, such as conducting elections and establishing public schools.

What does Article V of the Constitution require for amendments?

Amendments must be proposed by 2/3 of Congress and ratified by ¾ of the states.

What does the 10th amendment state?

Powers not given to the federal government nor denied to the states are reserved for the states.

What does double jeopardy mean?

You cannot be tried twice for the same crime.

What does the 5th Amendment state regarding self-incrimination?

You cannot be forced to testify against yourself.

What are the requirements for the presidency?

35 years old, 14 years of U.S. residency, and a natural born citizen.

What is the order of presidential succession?

Vice-President, Speaker of the House, President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Cabinet members in order of creation.

What is eminent domain?

The right of the government to take private property for public use with just compensation.

What powers does Congress have concerning commerce?

Congress can regulate interstate commerce and foreign trade.

What power does Congress have regarding currency?

Congress has the power to coin and print money.

What can Congress establish according to its powers?

Congress can establish post offices and roads.

What law-making power does Congress have regarding immigration?

Congress can pass laws regulating immigration.

What powers are denied to the states?

States cannot issue their own money, go to war, or establish a monarchy.

What powers are denied to the federal government?

The federal government cannot tax exports or favor one state in trade over another.

What is the Privileges and Immunities Clause?

Citizens of each state are entitled to the privileges and immunities of citizens of all the states.

What is extradition?

The process of sending a suspect or criminal back to the state from which he or she has fled.

How many members are in the U.S. Senate?

100 members, 2 from each state.

How many members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?

435 members, based on state populations.

What is the term length for Senators?

6 years, with 1/3 of the Senate up for re-election every two years.

What are the requirements for a Senator?

30 years old, 9 years of U.S. citizenship, and residency in their elected state.

What is the term length for Representatives?

2 years, with all members up for re-election every two years.

What happens if no candidate has a majority of electoral votes for the presidency?

The election will be decided in the House of Representatives.

What happens if no candidate has a majority of electoral votes for the Vice-Presidency?

The election will be decided in the Senate.

What is an ex post facto law?

A law that applies to actions that took place before the law was enacted.

What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus?

Requires the police to bring all persons accused of a crime before the court to show sufficient reason to keep them in jail.

What does the 8th Amendment say about bail and punishments?

All bail fines and punishments must be fair and humane.

What is the role of the Vice-President in the Senate?

The Vice-President presides over the Senate and only votes in case of a tie.

Who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice-President?

The president pro-tempore.

What is a bill of attainder?

A law that punishes a person who has not been convicted in a court of law.

What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Representatives?

He is the constitutional officer elected by a majority vote of House members.

What are appropriations?

Funds set aside for specific purposes in the budget.

What are select committees?

Committees created to deal with special issues, usually investigations.

What are joint committees?

Committees made up of members from both the House and Senate.

What is a Conference Committee?

A temporary joint committee that works out a compromise between both houses on a bill.

What is the major consideration for committee assignments in Congress?

Seniority.

What does the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) do?

Prepares Congress’ version of the National Budget.

What is the President's veto power?

The President can veto a bill, but Congress can override the veto by a 2/3 vote of both chambers.

What does the General Accounting Office (GAO) do?

Watches over the spending of funds appropriated by Congress.

What power does Congress have over incomes?

Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes (16th amendment).

What is a filibuster?

An unlimited debate in the Senate.

What is a vote of cloture?

It forces an end to debate and requires 60 votes in the Senate.

What does the House Rules Committee do?

Decides on how the vote/debate will be taken in the House of Representatives.

Who appoints federal judges and cabinet members?

The President appoints them, and they are approved by a majority of the Senate.

What must happen for a bill to become a law?

Identical versions must pass both houses of Congress by a majority vote.

What is pork barrel spending?

Awards projects and grants to a member's home district or state, resulting in jobs and votes.

What is oversight in Congress?

Describes Congressional regulation (watching over) of government agencies.

What powers have been delegated to the President by Congress over time?

Powers that increase his/her war-making power.

What does Federalist #70 defend?

A strong, single executive who reacts quickly and energetically to crises.

What must happen for treaties to be enacted?

They must be signed by the President and approved by 2/3 of the Senate.

What is a pocket veto?

When a bill fails if no action is taken by Congress or the President before the Congressional session ends (10 days).

What happens when the President becomes temporarily ill or is assassinated?

The Vice-President will assume the office of the Presidency.

What is impeachment?

To bring charges against the President, with the House charging and the Senate sitting in judgment.

Who has the power to impeach federal judges and who has the power to remove them?

The House of Representatives can impeach and the Senate can remove federal judges.

What powers does Congress have regarding federal courts?

Determines the number of federal courts and justices, and fed court jurisdiction.

How does Congress approve federal spending?

By a majority vote (the budget).

What happens during the yearly State of the Union address?

The President sets forth policies and agenda he or she wishes to enact.

What is an expressed power of the President?

To recommend legislation.

What does diplomatic recognition by the President mean?

To officially accept the representative of another nation.

What does the 22nd Amendment state about presidential terms?

Limits the President to two elected 4-year terms or a maximum of 10 years in case of vice-presidential succession.

What are Executive Orders?

Orders issued by the President to his cabinet-level departments with the force of law.

What did the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution do?

Increased the President’s war-making powers.

What is the purpose of the War Powers Act?

To curb the President’s war-making ability as the Commander in Chief.

What are Executive Agreements?

Agreements made by the President with other nations without congressional approval.

What causes inflation?

When too much money chases too few goods, leading to rising prices.

What is a recession?

An economic downturn.

What is fiscal policy?

A set of government spending and taxing policies controlled by Congress.

What are monetary policies?

Procedures designed to regulate the amount of money in circulation and control interest rates.

Who controls monetary policy?

The Federal Reserve.

What is a budget deficit?

Occurs yearly when expenses exceed revenue; cumulative deficits create the national debt.

Who prepares the budget for the President?

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

What does Federalist #78 argue for?

An independent national judiciary free from election pressures.

What are precedents?

Previous court decisions that form the guiding principle for determining legality.

What is original jurisdiction?

The authority to hear a case first.

What is appellate jurisdiction?

Grants authority to review issues (decisions) of law.

What is a Writ of Certiorari?

Granted when the Supreme Court decides to hear a case and requires consent from four Justices (Rule of 4).

What are Amicus Curiae briefs?

Briefs filed by concerned parties known as a friend of the court.

What is a concurrent opinion?

Issued by a Justice indicating they voted with the majority but for different reasons.