Constitution Scavenger Hunt Flashcards

Election and Legislative Facts

• Representatives are elected every two years.
• Minimum age to be elected as a Representative is 25 years.
• Senators serve a term of six years.
• Originally, Senators were chosen by state legislatures; the 17th Amendment established direct election by the people.
• Minimum age to be a Senator is 30 years.

Leadership and Impeachment

• The Vice President is the President of the Senate and votes only in case of a tie.
• The House of Representatives has the power to impeach, while the Senate tries the impeached officials.
• The Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court officiates during a Presidential impeachment trial.
• A 2/3 vote is required in the Senate to convict an impeached official.
• The only penalty for convicted impeachment is removal from office and a ban on holding future federal positions.

Election Procedures and Legislative Powers

• Each state legislature determines the times, places, and manner for congressional elections, overriding state laws if necessary.
• Tax and revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
• A 2/3 vote from both houses is needed to override a presidential veto.
• If a President does not return a bill within 10 days, it automatically becomes law unless Congress adjourns.

Congressional Powers and Limitations

• Congress has the power to tax, borrow money, regulate commerce, establish naturalization laws, punish counterfeiting, and maintain a navy.
• The "necessary and proper clause" (elastic clause) provides Congress with broad powers.
• Limitations on Congress: cannot suspend habeas corpus, enact bills of attainder, or pass ex post facto laws.
• Habeas corpus may be suspended during wartime.

State Powers and Presidential Facts

• States cannot conduct foreign affairs, wage war, or control interstate commerce.
• Minimum age to be elected President is 35 years.
• The number of electors per state is determined by the sum of its Senators and Representatives.

Presidential Powers and Treaties

• The President can make treaties, serve as Commander in Chief, and grant reprieves and pardons.
• Treaties negotiated by the President require a 2/3 Senate approval.
• The Senate has the authority to approve presidential nominations.

Appointment Powers and Judiciary

• The President can make appointments when Congress is not in session without needing approval.
• Grounds for impeachment include treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
• Supreme Court justices serve for life and can only be removed for misconduct.
• Congress is responsible for establishing the number of federal courts.
• The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors and other high-ranking officials.

Treason

• Conviction of treason requires the agreement of two witnesses or a confession in open court.

Test your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution with these scavenger hunt flashcards. Learn about the election frequency of representatives, age requirements, and the terms of Senators, along with historical changes to the selection process. It's a fun way to reinforce your understanding of governmental foundations!