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Questions and Answers
What is the structure of the legislative branch in the US?
What is the structure of the legislative branch in the US?
In the legislative branch, what is the function of congressional standing committees?
In the legislative branch, what is the function of congressional standing committees?
Who leads the Senate in the US legislative branch?
Who leads the Senate in the US legislative branch?
What is the procedure for enacting laws in the US legislative branch?
What is the procedure for enacting laws in the US legislative branch?
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Which article of the US Constitution delineates the exclusive and shared powers of each legislative house?
Which article of the US Constitution delineates the exclusive and shared powers of each legislative house?
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What is the role of the President in the US Executive Branch?
What is the role of the President in the US Executive Branch?
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What is one of the presidential powers mentioned in Section 2 of Article II of the Constitution?
What is one of the presidential powers mentioned in Section 2 of Article II of the Constitution?
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Which court has original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors and disputes between two or more states?
Which court has original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors and disputes between two or more states?
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What is one of the functions of the judicial branch of the United States government?
What is one of the functions of the judicial branch of the United States government?
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How many roles does the president fulfill according to the text?
How many roles does the president fulfill according to the text?
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What is one type of jurisdiction that the federal courts in the United States have?
What is one type of jurisdiction that the federal courts in the United States have?
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How many branches are members of the Vice President according to the text?
How many branches are members of the Vice President according to the text?
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Who appoints the members of the independent regulatory commissions, such as the Federal Communications Commission?
Who appoints the members of the independent regulatory commissions, such as the Federal Communications Commission?
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What is the main purpose of NASA as stated in the text?
What is the main purpose of NASA as stated in the text?
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Which agency is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through regulation of various products?
Which agency is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through regulation of various products?
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How many commissioners lead the FCC according to the text?
How many commissioners lead the FCC according to the text?
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Which branch has the power to create a federal budget and determine taxation in the U.S. government?
Which branch has the power to create a federal budget and determine taxation in the U.S. government?
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What does federalism serve as according to the text?
What does federalism serve as according to the text?
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What branch of the government interprets the law?
What branch of the government interprets the law?
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Which branch can nominate judges and has the power to pardon?
Which branch can nominate judges and has the power to pardon?
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In the U.S., how are electors for the Electoral College chosen?
In the U.S., how are electors for the Electoral College chosen?
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What role does the Vice President play in the process of removing the President?
What role does the Vice President play in the process of removing the President?
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What did James Madison argue about the Electoral College in Federalist No. 39?
What did James Madison argue about the Electoral College in Federalist No. 39?
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What is one criticism of the Electoral College system?
What is one criticism of the Electoral College system?
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What is one reason supporters argue for keeping the Electoral College?
What is one reason supporters argue for keeping the Electoral College?
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What is the bicameral structure of Congress?
What is the bicameral structure of Congress?
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What is the main function of congressional standing committees?
What is the main function of congressional standing committees?
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Which branch of government has powers in relation to other branches as part of checks and balances?
Which branch of government has powers in relation to other branches as part of checks and balances?
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What is the role of the Vice President in the legislative process?
What is the role of the Vice President in the legislative process?
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What is the procedure for enacting laws in Congress?
What is the procedure for enacting laws in Congress?
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What is the exclusive power of each legislative house as stated in the Constitution?
What is the exclusive power of each legislative house as stated in the Constitution?
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Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?
Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?
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What is one of the presidential powers that presidents have interpreted differently over time?
What is one of the presidential powers that presidents have interpreted differently over time?
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Which court has exclusive jurisdiction over certain types of cases in the US federal court system?
Which court has exclusive jurisdiction over certain types of cases in the US federal court system?
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What is the main function of the Supreme Court in the US judicial branch?
What is the main function of the Supreme Court in the US judicial branch?
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Which type of jurisdiction is when a case is heard for the first time in a court?
Which type of jurisdiction is when a case is heard for the first time in a court?
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What is a common role of the President's Cabinet in advising the President?
What is a common role of the President's Cabinet in advising the President?
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Which of the following is a specialized court in the US federal court system?
Which of the following is a specialized court in the US federal court system?
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What is one of the main functions of the Judicial Branch in the US government according to the text?
What is one of the main functions of the Judicial Branch in the US government according to the text?
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What is the purpose of the existence of independent regulatory commissions in the United States?
What is the purpose of the existence of independent regulatory commissions in the United States?
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How does the U.S. Constitution provide checks and balances among the three branches of government?
How does the U.S. Constitution provide checks and balances among the three branches of government?
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What is the primary mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States?
What is the primary mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States?
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Why did the framers of the U.S. Constitution establish a government with three branches?
Why did the framers of the U.S. Constitution establish a government with three branches?
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What is a key role of the Legislative Branch in the U.S. government?
What is a key role of the Legislative Branch in the U.S. government?
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Which branch of government has the authority to review the constitutionality of laws in the United States?
Which branch of government has the authority to review the constitutionality of laws in the United States?
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What is one way in which the President can be checked by other branches of government according to the text?
What is one way in which the President can be checked by other branches of government according to the text?
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What is the main function of congressional standing committees in the US legislative branch?
What is the main function of congressional standing committees in the US legislative branch?
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How do bills become laws in the US legislative branch?
How do bills become laws in the US legislative branch?
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Which part of the US Constitution outlines the exclusive and shared powers of each legislative house?
Which part of the US Constitution outlines the exclusive and shared powers of each legislative house?
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What is the bicameral structure of Congress composed of?
What is the bicameral structure of Congress composed of?
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Who is responsible for leading the House of Representatives in the US legislative branch?
Who is responsible for leading the House of Representatives in the US legislative branch?
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What is a key feature of the two-house legislature system in Congress?
What is a key feature of the two-house legislature system in Congress?
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What is the primary role of the Electoral College in the U.S. presidential election process?
What is the primary role of the Electoral College in the U.S. presidential election process?
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Why do small states generally support the Electoral College system?
Why do small states generally support the Electoral College system?
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What does James Madison argue about the Electoral College in Federalist No. 39?
What does James Madison argue about the Electoral College in Federalist No. 39?
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Why might a nominee potentially win the popular vote and still lose the Electoral College?
Why might a nominee potentially win the popular vote and still lose the Electoral College?
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What agency plays a critical role in deciding the winner of the U.S. Presidency if no clear majority wins in the Electoral College?
What agency plays a critical role in deciding the winner of the U.S. Presidency if no clear majority wins in the Electoral College?
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How are electors for the Electoral College chosen in the U.S.?
How are electors for the Electoral College chosen in the U.S.?
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Why do some argue that the Electoral College does not conform to the democratic principle of 'one man, one vote'?
Why do some argue that the Electoral College does not conform to the democratic principle of 'one man, one vote'?
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Which argument supports maintaining the Electoral College to ensure attention to less populous states?
Which argument supports maintaining the Electoral College to ensure attention to less populous states?
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How does the Electoral College maintain a federal character in U.S. elections according to its supporters?
How does the Electoral College maintain a federal character in U.S. elections according to its supporters?
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What is an argument against the Electoral College system as presented in the text?
What is an argument against the Electoral College system as presented in the text?
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Which branch of government can initiate a process to remove the President if they believe the President is unable to discharge duties due to health issues?
Which branch of government can initiate a process to remove the President if they believe the President is unable to discharge duties due to health issues?
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What role does the Vice President play in relation to the Senate according to the text?
What role does the Vice President play in relation to the Senate according to the text?
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What is the purpose of party nomination at national conventions in the U.S. election process?
What is the purpose of party nomination at national conventions in the U.S. election process?
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What does James Madison argue in favor of regarding the Electoral College?
What does James Madison argue in favor of regarding the Electoral College?
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What factor makes it difficult for third-party nominees to challenge established party nominees in U.S. elections?
What factor makes it difficult for third-party nominees to challenge established party nominees in U.S. elections?
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Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws in the U.S.?
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws in the U.S.?
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Why do supporters argue in favor of keeping the Electoral College system?
Why do supporters argue in favor of keeping the Electoral College system?
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What is a significant criticism of the Electoral College system highlighted in the text?
What is a significant criticism of the Electoral College system highlighted in the text?
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What power does each state have regarding electors for the Electoral College according to the information provided?
What power does each state have regarding electors for the Electoral College according to the information provided?
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What is a unique function of the President mentioned in the text?
What is a unique function of the President mentioned in the text?
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Which of the following is NOT a role fulfilled by the President as described in the text?
Which of the following is NOT a role fulfilled by the President as described in the text?
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In terms of jurisdiction, what type of cases do the federal courts NOT have authority over based on the text?
In terms of jurisdiction, what type of cases do the federal courts NOT have authority over based on the text?
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What is a key power of the President that has 'grown' over time through implied powers?
What is a key power of the President that has 'grown' over time through implied powers?
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Which court is responsible for hearing appeals from the Circuit Courts and highest state courts in cases involving constitutional issues?
Which court is responsible for hearing appeals from the Circuit Courts and highest state courts in cases involving constitutional issues?
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What is a function of the judicial branch in relation to laws and offenders?
What is a function of the judicial branch in relation to laws and offenders?
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What is a distinguishing characteristic of exclusive jurisdiction in the federal court system?
What is a distinguishing characteristic of exclusive jurisdiction in the federal court system?
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What is the primary mission of NASA as described in the text?
What is the primary mission of NASA as described in the text?
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How are members of the independent regulatory commissions appointed?
How are members of the independent regulatory commissions appointed?
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Which agency is responsible for regulating workplace safety and health in the United States?
Which agency is responsible for regulating workplace safety and health in the United States?
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How many commissioners lead the FCC according to the text?
How many commissioners lead the FCC according to the text?
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What is a primary responsibility of the FDA?
What is a primary responsibility of the FDA?
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How does the U.S. Constitution provide checks and balances among the three branches of government?
How does the U.S. Constitution provide checks and balances among the three branches of government?
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Which branch has the power to create a federal budget and determine taxation in the U.S. government?
Which branch has the power to create a federal budget and determine taxation in the U.S. government?
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What is a key role of regulatory commissions in the United States?
What is a key role of regulatory commissions in the United States?
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Study Notes
Legislative Branch
- Structure: Bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate
- Leadership: Vice President is President of the Senate, Speaker of the House leads the House
- Functions:
- Enact laws
- Congressional committees: permanent panels that make and debate laws for different policy areas
- Procedure for enacting laws:
- Proposed laws are called bills
- Bills are referred to legislative committees for public hearings and study
- If approved, bills are subject to floor debate
- Amendments can be made at any stage
- Bills must pass both houses in identical form
- Only a majority vote is needed to pass a bill
- Exclusive and shared powers of each legislative house as delineated in the Constitution (Article I)
- Powers in relation to other branches (checks and balances)
Executive Branch
- Structure: President is the leader of the country and Commander in Chief of the military
- Functions:
- Commander-in-Chief of the armed services
- Grant reprieves and pardons
- Make treaties (with concurrence of the Senate)
- Appoint ambassadors, Supreme Court judges, and other officers of the United States (with confirmation by the Congress)
- Appoint people to fill vacancies that may occur during the recess of the Senate
- Receive ambassadors and other public ministers
- Care that the laws be faithfully executed
- Recommend to Congress measures for their consideration (propose a bill)
- Approve or veto every Congressional bill (vetoes may be over-ridden)
- Cabinet and executive departments: advise the President and execute policies
- Size of the cabinet has grown from four posts under George Washington to 15 today
Judicial Branch
- Structure: Federal trial courts, Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court
- Functions:
- Interpret and apply the law
- Rule if laws have been broken and determine the punishment for the offender
- Jurisdiction:
- Limited to cases between citizens of two or more states and questions of federal laws
- Types of jurisdiction: exclusive, concurrent, original, and appellate
- Types of courts: Federal District Courts, Circuit Courts of Appeals, and specialized courts
- Judicial review: protect the rights of the people against unconstitutional actions by the President or Congress
- Protect the rights of people to fair treatment under state laws under the 14th amendment (due process of law and equal protection of the law)
Checks and Balances
- The U.S. Constitution describes the structure and assigns the powers of the U.S. government
- Purpose: to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power
- Examples of checks and balances:
- Legislative Branch: makes the law, checks the Executive and Judicial Branches
- Executive Branch: executes the law, checks the Legislative and Judicial Branches
- Judicial Branch: interprets the law, checks the Legislative and Executive Branches
- Federalism: serves as a check on the national government's power
Process of Electing the President of the U.S.
- Typical steps:
- Campaigning and primaries and caucuses
- Party nomination at national conventions (campaigning continues)
- General election
- Electoral College (indirect popular election)
- Criticisms:
- Does not conform to the democratic principle of “one man, one vote” since it is not a direct election
- A nominee can potentially win the popular vote and lose the Electoral College
- May discourage voter turnout and participation
- May result in nominees concentrating efforts in undecided “swing states”
- May make it very difficult for third-party nominees to challenge established party nominees
- Supporters:
- Prevents an “urban only” approach to campaigning, forcing candidates to consider less populated areas
- Maintains a federal character of the election with voters sharing power with states
- Maintains the stability provided by a two-party systemHere are the study notes for the text:
Checks and Balances
- The system of checks and balances ensures no one branch of government has too much power
- Checks and balances exist between:
- The Legislature (Congress) and the Executive (President)
- The Executive (President) and the Judiciary (Supreme Court)
- The Judiciary (Supreme Court) and the Legislature (Congress)
Electoral College
- The Electoral College elects the President of the United States
- Each state has a set number of electors based on its number of representatives in Congress (House and Senate)
- Electors are chosen by each state to cast votes for the presidential nominee who won that state
- The winner-takes-all approach is used in most states, where the nominee who wins the majority of the popular vote in a state wins all of that state's electoral votes
Criticisms of the Electoral College
- Does not conform to the democratic principle of "one man, one vote"
- A nominee can win the popular vote but lose the Electoral College
- May discourage voter turnout and participation
- May result in nominees focusing on "swing states" rather than the entire country
- May make it difficult for third-party nominees to challenge established party nominees
Supporters of the Electoral College
- Ensures less populous states are not ignored by nominees
- Forces candidates to campaign across the country rather than just focusing on urban areas
- Maintains a federal character of the election
- Supports the stability of a two-party system
Presidential Powers
- Constitutional powers defined in Article II of the Constitution
- Enumerated powers include:
- Commander-in-Chief of the armed services
- Granting reprieves and pardons
- Making treaties (with Senate approval)
- Appointing ambassadors, Supreme Court judges, and other officers
- Receiving ambassadors and other public ministers
- Executing the laws
- Proposing bills to Congress
- Vetoing Congressional bills (with potential override)
Cabinet and Executive Departments
- The Cabinet advises the President on policy issues
- Department heads (Cabinet members) help execute the policies and laws
- The size of the Cabinet has grown from 4 to 15 posts
Structure and Functions of the Judicial Branch
- The federal trial courts are the Federal District Courts
- Cases are appealed to the Circuit Courts of Appeals and then to the US Supreme Court
- Specialized courts include:
- Court of International Trade
- Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- Court of Claims
- US Tax Court
- Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims
- The Judicial Branch interprets and applies the law, determining if laws have been broken and imposing punishment
Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts
- Exclusive jurisdiction: only court to hear a case
- Concurrent jurisdiction: two or more courts have jurisdiction over the same type of case
- Original jurisdiction: a case is heard for the first time in a court
- Appellate jurisdiction: a case is heard on appeal after being heard in a lower court
Independent Executive Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
- Examples include:
- NASA (space program)
- EPA (environmental protection)
- OSHA (workplace safety and health)
- FDA (food and drug regulation)
- FCC (communications regulation)
- Regulatory commissions make rules for large businesses and have the power to investigate and issue licenses
- Independent regulatory commissions are not part of the three branches of government and are not directly accountable to the President
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Description
Test your knowledge on the structure and functions of the legislative branch of the government, focusing on the bicameral structure of Congress and its role in enacting laws through congressional committees. Identify key details about the House of Representatives, Senate, and leadership positions within the legislative branch.
