Podcast
Questions and Answers
How often are Representatives to be elected?
How often are Representatives to be elected?
2 years
How old must a Representative be to be elected?
How old must a Representative be to be elected?
25 (and 7 years a citizen)
How long is a term for a Senator? How often are elections held?
How long is a term for a Senator? How often are elections held?
6 years; every 2 years 1/3 of the Senate elections
How were Senators originally chosen? Which amendment changed that?
How were Senators originally chosen? Which amendment changed that?
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How old does someone have to be to be a Senator?
How old does someone have to be to be a Senator?
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Who is the president of the Senate and when can that person vote?
Who is the president of the Senate and when can that person vote?
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Which legislative body has the power of impeachment and which body has the power to try the impeached official?
Which legislative body has the power of impeachment and which body has the power to try the impeached official?
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Who shall officiate when a president is tried for impeachment?
Who shall officiate when a president is tried for impeachment?
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What is the required vote that is necessary to convict someone who has been impeached?
What is the required vote that is necessary to convict someone who has been impeached?
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What is the only penalty that can be imposed on someone who has been impeached?
What is the only penalty that can be imposed on someone who has been impeached?
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Who decides the time, places, manner for holding elections for Congress?
Who decides the time, places, manner for holding elections for Congress?
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In what federal body do all bills concerning taxes originate?
In what federal body do all bills concerning taxes originate?
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What happens when a president doesn't return a bill in 10 days?
What happens when a president doesn't return a bill in 10 days?
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What fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto?
What fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto?
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In Article I, Section 8, the Constitution lists or enumerates the powers of Congress. List six of them.
In Article I, Section 8, the Constitution lists or enumerates the powers of Congress. List six of them.
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In Article I, Section 9, there are three limits on the power of Congress to deny people's rights. What are they?
In Article I, Section 9, there are three limits on the power of Congress to deny people's rights. What are they?
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When may the writ of habeas corpus be suspended?
When may the writ of habeas corpus be suspended?
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Name THREE limits on the powers of the states.
Name THREE limits on the powers of the states.
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How old does someone have to be to be elected president?
How old does someone have to be to be elected president?
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How is it determined how many electors a state has?
How is it determined how many electors a state has?
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Name THREE powers of the President.
Name THREE powers of the President.
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Name the body of Congress that must approve a treaty that the president has negotiated. What fraction of the vote must approve it?
Name the body of Congress that must approve a treaty that the president has negotiated. What fraction of the vote must approve it?
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Which body of Congress approves nominations?
Which body of Congress approves nominations?
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What is the term of office for Supreme Court justices? When may they be removed?
What is the term of office for Supreme Court justices? When may they be removed?
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Who gets to decide how many federal courts we have?
Who gets to decide how many federal courts we have?
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In which cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?
In which cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?
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What must be necessary to convict someone of treason?
What must be necessary to convict someone of treason?
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What is the topic of Article IV?
What is the topic of Article IV?
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What does the Constitution say about how one state must regard the laws of another state?
What does the Constitution say about how one state must regard the laws of another state?
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What limitation is put on admitting new states to the Union?
What limitation is put on admitting new states to the Union?
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What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed amendment?
What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed amendment?
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What fraction of the states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified?
What fraction of the states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified?
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What fraction of the states can ask for a convention to propose new amendments?
What fraction of the states can ask for a convention to propose new amendments?
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What is the only limitation in the Constitution as to what can be the basis of an amendment?
What is the only limitation in the Constitution as to what can be the basis of an amendment?
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What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between laws?
What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between laws?
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What qualification for holding any public office is forbidden?
What qualification for holding any public office is forbidden?
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How many states had ratified the Constitution?
How many states had ratified the Constitution?
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Name the FIVE basic civil liberties guaranteed in the 1st amendment.
Name the FIVE basic civil liberties guaranteed in the 1st amendment.
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Which amendment extended the vote to 18-year-olds?
Which amendment extended the vote to 18-year-olds?
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Which amendment outlaws 'cruel and unusual punishment'?
Which amendment outlaws 'cruel and unusual punishment'?
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Which amendment ended slavery?
Which amendment ended slavery?
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Put the 9th Amendment in your own words.
Put the 9th Amendment in your own words.
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Put the 10th amendment in your own words.
Put the 10th amendment in your own words.
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Which amendment prevents a citizen of North Carolina from suing the state of Georgia?
Which amendment prevents a citizen of North Carolina from suing the state of Georgia?
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Which amendment said that states couldn't prevent people from voting based on their race?
Which amendment said that states couldn't prevent people from voting based on their race?
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Which amendment said that a person couldn't be tried twice for the same crime?
Which amendment said that a person couldn't be tried twice for the same crime?
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When can the government take private property and what must the government give the owners? Amendments?
When can the government take private property and what must the government give the owners? Amendments?
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What phrase is repeated in both the 5th and 14th Amendments?
What phrase is repeated in both the 5th and 14th Amendments?
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Which amendment defined citizenship?
Which amendment defined citizenship?
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List the FIVE rights that the accused has when suspected of a crime (6th Amendment).
List the FIVE rights that the accused has when suspected of a crime (6th Amendment).
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Which amendment prohibited alcohol? Which amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol?
Which amendment prohibited alcohol? Which amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol?
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Which amendment gave women the right to vote and in what year was it passed?
Which amendment gave women the right to vote and in what year was it passed?
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Which amendment decided that a person could be president for only two terms?
Which amendment decided that a person could be president for only two terms?
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On what day does the Constitution state that a new president shall be inaugurated?
On what day does the Constitution state that a new president shall be inaugurated?
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On what day must the new Congress meet?
On what day must the new Congress meet?
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Which amendment prevents the president and vice president from being inhabitants of the same state?
Which amendment prevents the president and vice president from being inhabitants of the same state?
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Who should choose the president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College?
Who should choose the president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College?
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Who should choose the vice president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College?
Who should choose the vice president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College?
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Which amendment requires a warrant to search someone's property?
Which amendment requires a warrant to search someone's property?
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Which amendment gave government the power to impose an income tax?
Which amendment gave government the power to impose an income tax?
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Which amendment establishes what to do if the president is incapacitated and can't perform his duties?
Which amendment establishes what to do if the president is incapacitated and can't perform his duties?
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Put the 2nd Amendment in your own words.
Put the 2nd Amendment in your own words.
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What can a president or other officers be impeached for?
What can a president or other officers be impeached for?
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In Article I, Section 8, which clause gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers?
In Article I, Section 8, which clause gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers?
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Study Notes
Congressional Elections and Qualifications
- Representatives serve 2-year terms.
- Minimum age for Representatives is 25, and they must have been U.S. citizens for at least 7 years.
- Senators serve 6-year terms; elections occur every 2 years for 1/3 of the Senate.
- Original selection of Senators was by state legislatures; changed by the 17th Amendment to direct election by the people.
- Minimum age for Senators is 30, requiring 9 years of U.S. citizenship.
Senate Roles and Responsibilities
- The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate and votes in case of a tie.
- The House of Representatives has the power to impeach, while the Senate conducts the trials.
- The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over presidential impeachment trials.
Impeachment and Voting Requirements
- A 2/3 majority is necessary to convict an impeached official.
- Penalties for impeachment include removal from office and disqualification from future federal positions.
Legislative Procedures
- State legislatures determine election times and methods; Congress can alter the process.
- All tax-related bills originate in the House of Representatives.
- If the president does not return a bill within 10 days, it becomes law unless Congress adjourns (known as pocket veto).
Powers and Limits of Congress
- Congress has enumerated powers including taxation, borrowing, commerce regulation, naturalization, coining money, and declaring war.
- Limits include the inability to suspend habeas corpus, enact bills of attainder, or create ex post facto laws.
Rights of States and New States
- States cannot make treaties, coin money, collect taxes on U.S. imports/exports, or maintain standing armies during peacetime.
- Admission of new states requires consent from the existing state legislatures.
Amendments and Congressional Authority
- A proposed amendment requires a 2/3 vote from both Congressional houses and must be ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures.
- States can call for a convention to propose amendments with a 2/3 majority.
Supremacy and Religious Tests
- Federal law prevails in conflicts, established by the Supremacy Clause.
- No religious tests can be imposed for holding public office.
Ratification and Civil Liberties
- Nine states needed to ratify the Constitution initially.
- The 1st Amendment guarantees five fundamental rights: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
Significant Amendments
- The 26th Amendment lowered voting age to 18.
- The 8th Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
- The 13th Amendment abolished slavery.
- The 9th Amendment affirms that rights extend beyond those listed.
- The 10th Amendment reserves powers not granted to the federal government to the states.
Legal Protections and Voting Rights
- The 11th Amendment prohibits citizens from suing states.
- The 15th Amendment ensures voting rights regardless of race.
- The 5th Amendment prevents double jeopardy and mandates due process.
- The 14th Amendment defines citizenship and includes due process protections.
Court and Presidential Powers
- The 18th Amendment prohibited alcohol; the 21st repealed this prohibition.
- The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920.
- The 22nd Amendment limits presidential terms to two.
- The 25th Amendment outlines procedures for presidential incapacity.
Limitations and Security Rights
- The 4th Amendment requires warrants for property searches.
- The 16th Amendment allows Congress to impose income taxes.
- The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms in relation to state security.
Impeachment Criteria
- Presidents and officials can be impeached for treason, bribery, and high crimes.
- Congress holds the Necessary and Proper Clause, granting it broad legislative authority.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution with these flashcards. Learn about the election cycles of Representatives and Senators, their eligibility, and historical changes in the election process. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of American government.
