Constitutional Scavenger Hunt Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How often are Representatives to be elected?

2 years

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?

6 years; every 2 years 1/3 of the Senate elections

How were Senators originally chosen? Which amendment changed that?

Chosen by the state legislatures; Amendment 17th: elected by the people thereof Signup and view all the answers

How old does someone have to be to be a Senator?

30 years old (9 years a U.S. citizen) Signup and view all the answers

Who is the president of the Senate and when can that person vote?

Vice President; when there is a tie vote in the Senate Signup and view all the answers

Which legislative body has the power of impeachment and which body has the power to try the impeached official?

House of Representatives, Senate Signup and view all the answers

Who shall officiate when a president is tried for impeachment?

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Signup and view all the answers

What is the required vote that is necessary to convict someone who has been impeached?

2/3 (two thirds) of the members present Signup and view all the answers

What is the only penalty that can be imposed on someone who has been impeached?

Removal from office; no future federal positions Signup and view all the answers

Who decides the time, places, manner for holding elections for Congress?

The legislature of each state, but Congress may alter the places of choosing senators Signup and view all the answers

In what federal body do all bills concerning taxes originate?

House of Representatives Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a president doesn't return a bill in 10 days?

It becomes law UNLESS Congress is not in session by the end of the 10 days; then it doesn't become law (pocket veto) Signup and view all the answers

What fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto?

2/3 of both houses shall agree to pass the bill Signup and view all the answers

In Article I, Section 8, the Constitution lists or enumerates the powers of Congress. List six of them.

Taxes, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce, naturalization process, coin money, create post offices, declare war Signup and view all the answers

In Article I, Section 9, there are three limits on the power of Congress to deny people's rights. What are they?

Writ of habeas corpus cannot be suspended, no bill of attainder, or ex post facto laws Signup and view all the answers

When may the writ of habeas corpus be suspended?

In cases of rebellion or invasion; the public safety may require it Signup and view all the answers

Name THREE limits on the powers of the states.

States CANNOT enter into treaties, coin money, tax U.S. imports/exports, keep a standing army in times of peace Signup and view all the answers

How old does someone have to be to be elected president?

35 years old (natural-born citizen & 14 years a resident within the U.S.) Signup and view all the answers

How is it determined how many electors a state has?

Add the number of Senators and Representatives in a state Signup and view all the answers

Name THREE powers of the President.

Commander in chief, pardon power, make treaties, nominate federal judges, fill Senate vacancies in times of recess, execute (carry out) U.S. laws Signup and view all the answers

Name the body of Congress that must approve a treaty that the president has negotiated. What fraction of the vote must approve it?

Senate; 2/3 of the Senators present Signup and view all the answers

Which body of Congress approves nominations?

Senate Signup and view all the answers

What is the term of office for Supreme Court justices? When may they be removed?

During good behavior (life) unless they retire/resign; removed when committed an impeachment Signup and view all the answers

Who gets to decide how many federal courts we have?

Congress Signup and view all the answers

In which cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

Cases that involve the Constitution, conflicts between states, maritime cases, controversies in which the U.S. is a party Signup and view all the answers

What must be necessary to convict someone of treason?

Testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or one confession in open court Signup and view all the answers

What is the topic of Article IV?

Legal issues between states AND new states - Full Faith & Credit, Privileges and Immunities, Fugitive Slave Act, admitting new states Signup and view all the answers

What does the Constitution say about how one state must regard the laws of another state?

Full Faith and Credit shall be given to state public records and judicial proceedings of other states Signup and view all the answers

What limitation is put on admitting new states to the Union?

States cannot be formed from within a single state or the joining of two states without the consent of each state legislature Signup and view all the answers

What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed amendment?

2/3 of both houses must approve Signup and view all the answers

What fraction of the states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified?

3/4 of state legislatures Signup and view all the answers

What fraction of the states can ask for a convention to propose new amendments?

2/3 of states must call a convention Signup and view all the answers

What is the only limitation in the Constitution as to what can be the basis of an amendment?

No state without its consent shall be deprived of its equal suffrage (vote) in the Senate Signup and view all the answers

What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between laws?

Federal law wins - Supremacy Clause Signup and view all the answers

What qualification for holding any public office is forbidden?

No religion test shall ever be required Signup and view all the answers

How many states had ratified the Constitution?

Nine states Signup and view all the answers

Name the FIVE basic civil liberties guaranteed in the 1st amendment.

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment extended the vote to 18-year-olds?

26th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment outlaws 'cruel and unusual punishment'?

8th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment ended slavery?

13th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Put the 9th Amendment in your own words.

More rights exist beyond what is contained in the Bill of Rights Signup and view all the answers

Put the 10th amendment in your own words.

Powers not specifically given to the federal government are given to the states (reserved) Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment prevents a citizen of North Carolina from suing the state of Georgia?

11th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment said that states couldn't prevent people from voting based on their race?

15th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment said that a person couldn't be tried twice for the same crime?

5th amendment (double jeopardy) Signup and view all the answers

When can the government take private property and what must the government give the owners? Amendments?

For public use and fair compensation; 5th amendment Signup and view all the answers

What phrase is repeated in both the 5th and 14th Amendments?

'.....deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.' Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment defined citizenship?

14th amendment Signup and view all the answers

List the FIVE rights that the accused has when suspected of a crime (6th Amendment).

Speedy trial, impartial jury in state of the crime, informed of crimes charged, confront witnesses, attorney for defense against charges Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment prohibited alcohol? Which amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol?

18th amendment; 21st amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment gave women the right to vote and in what year was it passed?

19th amendment; 1920 Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment decided that a person could be president for only two terms?

22nd amendment Signup and view all the answers

On what day does the Constitution state that a new president shall be inaugurated?

At noon on the 20th day of January (20th Amendment) Signup and view all the answers

On what day must the new Congress meet?

By noon on the 3rd day of January (20th Amendment) Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment prevents the president and vice president from being inhabitants of the same state?

12th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Who should choose the president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College?

House of Representatives (each state gets one vote) Signup and view all the answers

Who should choose the vice president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College?

Senate Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment requires a warrant to search someone's property?

4th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment gave government the power to impose an income tax?

16th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment establishes what to do if the president is incapacitated and can't perform his duties?

25th amendment Signup and view all the answers

Put the 2nd Amendment in your own words.

The federal government cannot infringe on gun rights OR the federal government cannot infringe on gun rights if guns are necessary for state security Signup and view all the answers

What can a president or other officers be impeached for?

Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors Signup and view all the answers

In Article I, Section 8, which clause gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers?

Necessary and Proper Clause Signup and view all the answers

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.

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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.