Government - Unit 2: Institutions

how many members does the house of representatives have?

435 members

who do the people in the house of representatives represent?

represents districts within states

requirements to be in the house of representatives

25 years old, resident of state elected, 7 years as a us citizen

term length for the house of representatives

2 year term

how many members does the senate have?

100 members

who do the people in the senate represent?

represents a state

requirements to be in the senate

30 years old, resident of state elected, 9 years as a us citizen

term length for the senate

6 year term

how long can the president be in office for?

2, 4 year terms or 10 total years

requirements to become president

35 years old, a natural born citizen, lives in the us for 14 years

how many members make up the supreme court?

9 members

what is the supreme court leader called?

chief justice

requirements to become a supreme court justice

no requirements

house of representatives and the senate

main duty is to make laws

the president

main duty is to enforce the laws

supreme court

main duty is to interpret laws

presidential democracy

people vote for legislators AND executive branch

checks and balances

when one branch limits the power of other branches

parliamentary democracy

people vote for legislators and legislators pick executive branch

executive agreement

a formal agreement between the u.s president and the leaders of other nations that does not require senate approval

implied powers

powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow congress to carry out its functions

expressed powers

powers specifically granted to the federal government by the constitution. for example, the constitution gives congress the power to coin money, impose taxes, and regulate interstate commerce. Also called enumerated powers.

executive privilege

an implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to congress or the judiciary

executive order

a rule issued by the president that has the force of law

speaker of the house

the leader of the majority party and presiding officer of the house of representatives. key role in assigning bills to the committee and setting party’s legislative agenda. also the most powerful position in congress

president pro tempore

the official chair of the senate; usually the most senior member of the majority party

president

chief executive of the united states, head of state and commander and chief of the us armed forces. the president of the united states is elected every 4 years by the electoral college. signs or vetoes bills passed to him by congress

president of the senate

vice president of the u.s; only votes to break a tie

majority/minority leaders

leadership roles in both the house and senate; the day to day leaders

line of succession

vice president, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, and secretary of state

amendment 25

established process for president to pass on duties if he/she is unable to serve. goes to vice president, vacancy in vice presidency is filled by appointment from president (approved by congress)

jobs of the vice president

1. serves as president if the president dies, leaves the office, or is unable to fulfill his duties

2. president of the senate

necessary and proper clause

gives congress the powers to pass all laws necessary to carry out their constitutional duties; “elastic” clause (Art. 1, sec 8, clause 18)

amendment 22

(presidential term limits) limits the president to two terms or a maximum of 10 years

foreign and military power

powers shared between the president and congress

appointments and nominations

president has the power to nominate/appoint but senate must confirm those nominations

succession act of 1947

established order of president succession. after VP: speaker of the house them president pro tempore then cabinet of officers

supremacy clause

the federal constitution, laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land. states cannot interfere with federal power

strict constructionist

a person who interprets the constitution in a way that allows the federal government to only take the actions the constitution specifically says they can take

eminent domain

power of a government to take private property for public use; the us constitution gives national and state governments this power requires them to provide just compensations for property so taken

treaty

agreement between two countries

powers of congress

collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce with other nations, coin money, declare war, control armed forces, make necessary laws

powers of the president

policy maker, executive order, commander in chief, head of executive brance

criminal law

type of legal conflict where laws protect the welfare of society and punish those who fail to comply; those found guilty may face jail time

civil law

type of legal conflict that deals with conflicts between private parties; centers on a dispute or accident

US supreme court

highest court in our nation; made up of 9 justices; the “court of last resort”

US district court

lowest level of our federal courts; only hears cases for the first time; has a judge and a jury

US appeals court (appellate court)

middle level of our federal judiciary; has a panel of 3 judges; only hears cases that have already been tried

jurisdiction

the power to hear and decide a case

precedent

a decision in a previous court case that is used as the basis for a decision in a similar case

judicial review

the power of the supreme court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional

original jurisdiction

the authority to hear cases for the first time

appellate jurisdiction

the authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

impeach

to accuse government officials of misconduct in office

filibuster

a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches

veto

chief executive’s power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

bill

a proposed law

override

a action taken by congress to reverse a presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber

McCulloch v. Maryland

Maryland imposes taxes on second bank of the united states. cashier of bank (mcculloch) refuses to pay. result: Congress has power to incorporate bank and maryland cannot tax

dual court system

we have both federal and state courts

how does someone become a federal judge?

appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate

who can sponsor and introduce a bill into congress?

only a member of congress can sponsor and introduce bills into congress

what are the three things the president can do when he receives a bill?

1. sign the bill into law

2. veto the bill

3. ignore the bill

after 10 days pass and the president has done nothing with a bill, what determines whether or not the bill becomes law?

whether or not congress is in session

impeachment and removal process

the house impeaches. the senate tries the case and can remove from office with a 2/3 vote

rules committee

determines the rules of debate for bill in the house of representatives

conference committee

a special joint committee appointed to reconcile differences when bills pass the two chambers of congress in different forms

standing committee

a permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area

pardon

a declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment (clemency power)

Marbury v. Madison

this case establishes the supreme courts power of judicial review