POS 2041 American Federal Government Final Exam Study Guide: Chapter 2
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Questions and Answers

Which type of committee includes members from both chambers of Congress?

  • Special Committees
  • Select Committees
  • Joint Committees (correct)
  • Standing Committees

    • What is the wooden box into which house members insert proposed bills called?

  • Container
  • Locker
  • Tray
  • Hopper (correct)

    • Who has the most power in the US Senate according to the text?

  • Majority Whip
  • Speaker of the House
  • President Pro Tempore
  • Senate Majority Leader (correct)

    • What is the role of chief of state primarily characterized as?

    <p>Ceremonial and Symbolic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many electors are there in the Electoral College?

    <p>538</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is responsible for the creation of the President's annual budget?

    <p>OMB</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Pork barrel' refers to what in the context of congressional legislators?

    <p>'Special Projects' Appropriation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Statutory Powers' refer to presidential powers granted by whom?

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

    'Casework' involves providing personal aid to which group of individuals?

    <p>'Constituents'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Ombudsperson' refers to a role where a member of Congress advocates for constituents with which entities?

    <p>Bureaucratic Agencies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who initiated the New Deal, a series of social programs that transformed views of the federal government's role?

    <p>Franklin Roosevelt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which US President's administration was granted the broadest latitude to use emergency powers in cases involving foreign affairs by the Supreme Court?

    <p>Franklin Roosevelt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which landmark case granted the US Supreme Court its most significant power?

    <p>Marbury v. Madison</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered the highest form of law in the United States?

    <p>Constitutional Law</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the federal court system, what is the main court of original jurisdiction for MOST cases?

    <p>District Courts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which branch of the US military does the President act as the supreme commander of the US Coast Guard?

    <p>Navy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Judicial Review' is the most significant power exercised by which body?

    <p>US Supreme Court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Dual court system' refers to which court system in the United States?

    <p>'Federal and State Courts'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Court of appellate jurisdiction' is primarily the role of which legal body in the United States?

    <p>'US Supreme Court'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'Control over military strategy' is a role primarily associated with which position in the United States?

    <p>'President'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which amendment in the US Constitution is primarily concerned with criminal due process rights?

    <p>Amendment 4, 5, 6, and 8</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of Article V of the US Constitution?

    <p>The process of constitutional amendment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Article in the US Constitution describes the powers and structure of the judicial branch?

    <p>Article III</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the concept that national laws prevail over conflicting state laws known as?

    <p>Supremacy Clause</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a means of political expression guaranteed under the US Constitution?

    <p>Freedom of Religion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main factor in the eventual ratification of the US Constitution?

    <p>The promise of a bill of rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which branch of the US government was primarily designed to be responsive to the needs and the will of the people?

    <p>Legislative Branch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which branch of the US government was the founders most concerned with creating a legislature that could check the power of the US President?

    <p>Legislative Branch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a broad principle contained in the Bill of Rights?

    <p>Right to Bear Arms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a foundational government body described in the US Constitution?

    <p>Presidential Branch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The US Constitution

    • The US Constitution describes three foundational government bodies or branches.
    • The promise of adding a bill of rights led to the ratification of the US Constitution.
    • Key articles to focus on:
      • Article III: describes the powers and structure of the judicial branch.
      • Article V: outlines the process of constitutional amendment.
    • The Supremacy Clause states that national laws prevail over conflicting state laws, making the US Constitution the supreme law of the land.

    The Bill of Rights

    • The Bill of Rights contains broad principles that guarantee freedoms, including:
      • Freedom of Speech
      • Freedom of Assembly
      • Freedom of Petition
      • Freedom of the Press
    • Amendments 4, 5, 6, and 8, known as "criminal due process rights," are significant components of the Bill of Rights.

    The Legislative Branch

    • The Framers' vision for Congress was to create a responsive and people-driven legislature that could check the power of the President.
    • Key powers of Congress include:
      • Deciding when to send troops into battle
      • Controlling military strategy
      • Acting as supreme commander of the US Coast Guard
    • The New Deal, initiated by President Franklin Roosevelt, dramatically transformed people's views of the federal government's role.

    The Judiciary

    • The US court system is a dual court system.
    • The US Supreme Court primarily acts as a court of appellate jurisdiction.
    • Marbury v. Madison is an early landmark case that granted the US Supreme Court significant power.
    • Constitutional law is the highest form of law in the United States.
    • Judicial review is the most significant power exercised by the Supreme Court.

    Congressional Committees and Oversight

    • Joint Committees consist of members from both chambers of Congress.
    • Select Committees are created to address specific policy issues.
    • Examples of Standing Committees include the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee.
    • The Hopper is a wooden box where House members insert proposed bills.
    • Filibuster is a procedural move to halt the passage of a bill.
    • Congressional Oversight is the process by which Congress "checks" the executive branch.

    The Presidency and Executive Branch

    • The President's roles include chief executive, commander in chief, chief of state, chief diplomat, and party leader.
    • The President's ceremonial and symbolic role is the chief of state.
    • Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the most vetoes during his tenure.
    • Key terms to know:
      • Incumbent: a candidate already holding the office
      • Casework: personal aid to a constituent or group
      • Ombudsperson: a member of Congress advocating on behalf of a constituent
      • Pork Barrel: appropriation of federal funds for projects in a congressional district

    The Legislative Branch (continued)

    • The US Code is a compilation of all laws passed by Congress.
    • US Senate:
      • Each state has exactly two senators.
      • The 17th Amendment shifted the power to elect senators from state legislatures to popular elections.
      • The Senate Majority Leader has the most power in the Senate.
      • The President of the Senate is the US Vice-President.
    • US House of Representatives:
      • This chamber represents the people's views.
      • The Speaker of the House is the most powerful person in the House.

    The Presidency/Executive Branch (continued)

    • Statutory Powers are presidential powers granted by Congress.
    • The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with a candidate needing 270 to be elected president.
    • The President's cabinet has 15 departments.
    • The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for creating the president's annual budget.
    • The Head of the Department of Justice is the Attorney General.
    • The Chair of the Federal Reserve Board is appointed by the president and manages the US economy.
    • The National Security Council advises the president on foreign policy and national security issues.
    • Presidential Succession:
      • Speaker of the House
      • Senate President Pro Tem
      • Secretary of State
      • Secretary of the Treasury

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    Description

    Prepare for the Spring Semester 2024 final exam at Miami Dade College with this study guide focused on Chapter 2 of the US Constitution. Learn about the three government branches, the ratification process, and the importance of a bill of rights. Special emphasis on Article III.

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