civics

.13.25 | Powers of Congress

Three Types of Powers

1)      Expressed powers: powers specifically written in the constitution

2)      Implied powers: powers that are “suggested” in the constitution

3)      Non-legislative powers: things congress does to help the country run smoother

Expressed Powers

1)      Collect taxes

2)      Regulate foreign and interstate trade

3)      Coin and borrow money

4)      Establish post offices and highways

5)      Declare war

6)      Issue patents and copyrights

7)      Set standard of weights and measurements

Implied Powers

1)      Elastic cause: congress can do what is necessary and proper for the welfare of the nation

2)      Create national bank

3)      Set minimum wage

4)      Institute military draft

Non-Legislative Powers

1)      Elect a president (house) and vice president (senate) if no candidate gets majority of the electoral college vote

2)      Propose amendments to the constitution

3)      Admit new states to the union (both)

Checks and Balances

1)      Checks on executive branch

a.       May override presidential veto

b.       Approved treaties

c.       Approves appointment of judges

d.       Impeach president

2)      Checks on judicial branch

a.       Impeach federal judges

5.15.25 | Bills

Congressional Bills

1)      Bills are named according to whether they originated in the House (HR), the senate (SR), or the White House (WHR) they then receive a number

Introduction

1)      Bill is introduced into senate or house

2)      Bill is then assigned to a committee

Committee

1)      Studies bill and suggest changes

2)      Hold public hearings to collect information

3)      Bill is passed or rejected

Floor

1)      Bill is read and debated openly

2)      Bill can be sent back to the committee or fail to pass vote

Next Chamber of Congress

1)      If approved, it is sent to other (Senate or House)

2)      Process is then repeated

Filibuster

1)      Powers in Senate

2)      Allow members to speak as long as they want

Cloture

1)      Nuclear option: can invoke cloture with 51 yes votes (2013) on some proposals but not all

2)      Usually you need 60 yes votes

Conference Committee

1)      Compromised of both house and senate

a.       Resolves and makes any final revisions

Final Approval

1)      President has 10 days to sign bill into law

2)      Veto

3)      If vetoed, congress can override with a 2/3 vote in both houses

 

5.22.25 | Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy (Diplomacy)

1)      Americas interaction with other nations

Department of State

1)      Advises president on matters of foreign policy

Operations

1)      Embassy: u.s territory in a foreign nation

2)      Ambassadors: representatives of US in embassy

Goals of Foreign Policy

1)      Protect America and americans

2)      International firendships

Foreign Aid

1)      Help ($) military or advice, the us gives foreign nations

Internationalism

1)      Humanitarian: promote democracy around the world

2)      Idea that America is apart of community

3)      Economic: protect america’s interests

4)      Alliances: support america’s friends

Deterrence

1)      Keeping a strong defense to discourage aggression by other nations

2)      Over 5000 active nuclear weapons

Pressure with trade

1)      Tariffs: taxes on imported goods

2)      Sanctions: limits on trade with another country  

United nations

1)      Peace keeping org

2)      193 countries

NATO

1)      North Atlantic treaty organization

2)      Defensive military alliance with countries of Europe and Canada

NAFTA

1)      Economic alliance with Mexico and Canada

SEATO

1)      Military alliance with countries in southeast asia

5.23.25 | Federal Agencies

Federal Bureaucracy

1)      Agencies and employees of the executive branch

Agencies Roles

1)      Make rules for people to follow

2)      Carry out day to day activities

Independent Agencies

1)      Not part of the cabinet

2)      Deal with specific areas of the federal government

3)      Ex; fbi, fema, nasa

Government Corporations

1)      Business owned by the government

2)      Do not make a profit

3)      Ex; postal service

Regulatory Commissions

1)      Make and enforce rules that a group must follow to protect the public

2)      Ex; fcc, ftc, epa

Political Appointees (top jobs)

1)      People chosen by the president

2)      Usually supported president during campaign

3)      Leave office when president leaves

Civil Service System

1)      Office of personnel management in charge

2)      Must take exam to get job

3)      Ex; clerks, park rangers, lawyers

5.27.25 | The Judicial Branch

The Essential Supreme Court

1)      Nine justices wth chief justice as leader

a.       John Roberts chief justice

2)      Life position appointed by president and confirmed by senate

3)      8 month term (October-june)

4)      They can be impeached, resign or die

Federal Courts

1)      District courts: original jurisdiction

2)      Circuit courts: have 1st appeals

3)      Supreme court: has final appeal

Rule of Four

1)      Four justices must agree the court should take action for an appeal to be heard

Handshake Tradition

1)      Justices shake hands to show no hard feelings between each other

Notable Supreme Court Justices

1)      John Marshall: first US supreme court chief justice

2)      Thurgood Marshall: first African American supreme court justice

3)      Sandra Day O’Connor: first female supreme court justice

Judicial Review

1)      The power to overturn laws in conflict with the constitution

Marbury v Madison (1803)

1)      1st time judicial review used

2)      The Marbury decision was unanimous

Judicial Restraint

1)      Court should allow decisions of elected officials stand even they disagree with it

2)      Don’t comment on policy

Judicial Activism

1)      Judges should use their power broadly to further justice, especially in areas of liberty or equality

Stare Decisis

1)      Decisions made by previous courts should stand (called precedent)

6.3.25 | State

State Facts

1)      Indian name: besides the long tidal river

2)      Founder: Thomas hooker (1638)

3)      Official designation: constitution state

4)      Capital: Hartford

5)      Towns and Cities: 169

6)      Population: 3.6 million

Legislative Branch

1)      General assembly

2)      Senate: 36 members

3)      House of representatives: 151 members

Executive Branch

1)      Governor and lieutenant governor

2)      Requirements: at least age 30 and resident of state

3)      Term of office: 4 years

Other Key Executive Officials

1)      Secretary of state: elections

2)      Treasurer: taxes

3)      Comptroller: accountant

4)      Attorney general: legal advisor

Judicial Branch

1)      Supreme court: 7 justices for 8-year terms, no one over age of 70

2)      Superior court: original jurisdiction

3)      Probate court: town level

Local Government

1)      Home rule act: Connecticut gives towns the right to adopt their own local constitution

County

1)      Board or commission govern

2)      5-7 members

3)      Commissioner is chief executive

Mayor-Council

1)      Mayor is elected and chooses heads of departments on the city council

2)      Hartford

Council Manager

1)      Council is elected and hires a manager who handles daily operations of the city

2)      tolland