Constitution Test Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What are the six reasons for the establishment of the Constitution?

To form a more perfect Union, to establish Justice, to insure domestic Tranquility, to provide for the common defence, to promote the general Welfare, to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

What are the three branches of government?

Legislative, executive, and judicial.

What is the main role of each of the three branches of government?

Legislative - makes laws, Executive - enforces laws, Judicial - interprets laws.

In the United States government, what bodies or people make up each branch of government? (Select all that apply)

<p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long is the term for each of the following: President, Vice President, United States Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, Justice on the United States Supreme Court, and Federal Judges?

<p>President - 4 years, Vice President - 4 years, United States Senator - 6 years, Member of the House of Representatives - every 2 years, Justice on the United States Supreme Court - for life, Federal Judges - for life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many terms can the President serve?

<p>2 terms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the longest a President can serve?

<p>10 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Senate called the House that never dies?

<p>⅓ of the people in the Senate will always be re-elected every 2 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by bicameral?

<p>There are 2 chambers in the legislative branch.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the qualifications for becoming a Member of the House of Representatives?

<p>At least 25 years old, citizen of the US for the last 7 years, inhabitant of the state in which you are being elected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the qualifications for becoming a Senator?

<p>At least 30 years old, citizen of the US for the last 9 years, inhabitant of the state in which you are being elected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the qualifications for becoming President of the United States?

<p>At least 35 years old, resident in the US for the last 14 years, natural-born citizen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the qualifications for becoming a Justice on the United States Supreme Court?

<p>There are no official rules for becoming a Justice on the Supreme Court in the Constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a census?

<p>A population count taken every 10 years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do we have a census on a regular basis?

<p>To keep track of the number of House members per state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How often do we have a census?

<p>Every decade.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives?

<p>The Speaker of the House.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the U.S. Constitution, who is the presiding officer of the Senate?

<p>Vice President.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who actually presides over the Senate?

<p>President Pro Tempore of the Senate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define preside.

<p>To run a meeting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who has the power to impeach?

<p>The House of Representatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define impeach.

<p>To accuse of a crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the number of Members of the House of Representatives each state has determined?

<p>By population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many Members of the House of Representatives are there?

<ol start="435"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How many Members of the House of Representatives does CA have?

<ol start="53"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How many United States Senators are there?

<ol start="100"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How many Senators does each state have?

<p>2 per state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the names of the United States Senators from CA?

<p>Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who acts as the jury in an impeachment proceeding?

<p>The Senate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who acts as the judge in an impeachment proceeding?

<p>Chief Justice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who acts as the prosecution in an impeachment proceeding?

<p>A group of House of Representatives called the committee of representatives, or the 'managers'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many Senators does it require to convict in an impeachment proceeding?

<p>⅔ of the Senate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of bill must start in the House of Representatives?

<p>Bills that raise revenue; tax bills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an ex-post facto law?

<p>New laws that do not apply to crimes committed before the law was passed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a bill of attainder?

<p>Punishing or convicting a person of a crime without a trial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a writ of habeas corpus?

<p>A writ of habeas corpus is an order to the person or group holding a person in prison to court.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much is a U.S. Senator paid?

<p>$174,000/year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much is a Member of the House of Representatives paid?

<p>$174,000/year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much is the President of the United States paid?

<p>$400,000/year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are members of the cabinet, Federal Judges, Members of the Supreme Court, Ambassadors, and other high-ranking government officials chosen?

<p>They are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate (Majority Vote).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who has the power to declare war?

<p>The Congress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Commander in Chief?

<p>The President of the United States.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a bill?

<p>Bills are proposed laws not yet passed by Congress or approved by the President.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by checks and balances?

<p>Other branches can stop another branch from doing something.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by separation of powers?

<p>The Federal government is split up into 3 branches that each have a similar amount of power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What check does the President have over Congress' ability to make laws?

<p>The President can veto a bill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a veto?

<p>Executive (president) rejection of a bill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What check does Congress have over the President's veto?

<p>A ⅔ majority vote can override the veto.</p> Signup and view all the answers

If Congress wishes to override a veto, how many must vote for the bill?

<p>⅔ of the Senate and House of Representatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What check does Congress have over the President's power to appoint Justices to the Supreme Court?

<p>⅔ of Congress need give the President consent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Establishment of the Constitution

  • Six foundational reasons: to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for common defence, promote general Welfare, secure Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and Posterity.

Branches of Government

  • Three branches: Legislative, Executive, Judicial.
  • Legislative makes laws, Executive enforces laws, Judicial interprets laws.

Composition of Government Branches

  • Legislative:
    • National: Congress (bicameral) - Senate and House of Representatives.
    • State: State Legislatures (bicameral) - e.g., California Senate and Assembly.
    • Local: Unicameral - e.g., County Board of Supervisors, City Council.
  • Executive:
    • National: President, Vice President, Cabinet.
    • State: Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, other state officials.
    • Local: Mayor.
  • Judicial:
    • National: US District Courts, US Appeal Courts, US Supreme Court.
    • State: Superior Courts, California Courts of Appeal, California State Supreme Court.

Terms and Elections

  • President and Vice President: 4 years.
  • United States Senator: 6 years, with ⅓ elected every 2 years.
  • House of Representatives: elected every 2 years.
  • Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges: lifetime appointments.

Presidential Terms

  • Maximum of 2 terms (8 years).
  • If a Vice President takes over, can serve up to 10 years total.

Senate Stability

  • Referred to as "the House that never dies" due to ⅓ of members being elected every 2 years, ensuring continuity.

Legislative Structure

  • Bicameral system characterized by two chambers: Senate (2 members per state) and House (population-based representation).

Qualifications for Office

  • House of Representatives: at least 25 years old, 7 years a US citizen, inhabitant of the state elected.
  • Senate: at least 30 years old, 9 years a US citizen, inhabitant of the state elected.
  • President: at least 35 years old, 14 years a US resident, natural-born citizen.
  • Supreme Court Justice: no specific qualifications outlined in the Constitution.

Census and Representation

  • Census: a population count conducted every 10 years to determine House representation.
  • Total Members in House: 435, with California having 53 representatives.

Senate Composition

  • Total United States Senators: 100, with 2 Senators per state.
  • Current Senators from California: Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris.

Impeachment Process

  • House of Representatives holds the power to impeach individuals.
  • Senate acts as the jury during impeachment, with the Chief Justice serving as the judge.
  • ⅔ of the Senate is required to convict in impeachment proceedings.
  • The “managers” from the House act as the prosecution in impeachment.

Legislative Procedures

  • Revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
  • Ex-post facto laws: cannot apply to actions taken before the laws were enacted.
  • Bill of attainder: punishes individuals without a trial.
  • Writ of habeas corpus: demands legal validity for imprisonment.

Compensation for Government Officials

  • U.S. Senators and Members of the House: $174,000 annually.
  • President: $400,000 annually.

Appointment Powers

  • Cabinet members, Federal Judges, Justices, and Ambassadors are nominated by the President and require Senate approval (majority vote).

War Powers and Leadership

  • Congress holds the power to declare war.
  • The President serves as the Commander in Chief.

Legislative Proposals

  • A bill is a proposed law that has not been passed or approved yet.
  • Checks and balances prevent one branch from overstepping.
  • Separation of powers divides government authority to mitigate power concentration.

Presidential Checks on Congress

  • The President can veto proposed legislation.
  • Congress can override a veto with a ⅔ majority vote from both the Senate and House.

Checks on Judicial Appointments

  • Presidential appointments of Supreme Court Justices require consent from ⅔ of Congress.

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Prepare for your understanding of the U.S. Constitution with this comprehensive quiz covering the foundational reasons for its establishment and the structure of government. Perfect for students or anyone looking to refresh their knowledge on constitutional principles.

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