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Questions and Answers
Which type of presidential power is explicitly listed in the Constitution?
Which type of presidential power is explicitly listed in the Constitution?
What power allows the President to appoint federal judges?
What power allows the President to appoint federal judges?
Which power enables the President to negotiate treaties?
Which power enables the President to negotiate treaties?
What is a significant misconception about presidential power today?
What is a significant misconception about presidential power today?
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What is the effect of Congressional override of a presidential veto?
What is the effect of Congressional override of a presidential veto?
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Which of the following is considered an inherent power of the President?
Which of the following is considered an inherent power of the President?
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Which statement best describes constitutional ambiguity regarding presidential powers?
Which statement best describes constitutional ambiguity regarding presidential powers?
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Which power allows the President to issue directives that have the force of law?
Which power allows the President to issue directives that have the force of law?
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What principle allows for the Constitution to adapt over time to societal changes?
What principle allows for the Constitution to adapt over time to societal changes?
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What is a characteristic effect of polarization in a democratic society?
What is a characteristic effect of polarization in a democratic society?
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What is an essential weakness of the federal government highlighted in the Constitution's significance?
What is an essential weakness of the federal government highlighted in the Constitution's significance?
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Which article of the Constitution outlines the legislative branch?
Which article of the Constitution outlines the legislative branch?
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Which of the following statements about originalism is true?
Which of the following statements about originalism is true?
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What effect does polarization have on public discourse?
What effect does polarization have on public discourse?
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Why is accountability emphasized in the context of the Constitution?
Why is accountability emphasized in the context of the Constitution?
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How does polarization impact governance?
How does polarization impact governance?
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What type of committee is formed to handle specific purposes and does not introduce legislation?
What type of committee is formed to handle specific purposes and does not introduce legislation?
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What is the primary function of Congressional Committees?
What is the primary function of Congressional Committees?
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Which step occurs immediately after a bill is drafted?
Which step occurs immediately after a bill is drafted?
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What is the role of a sponsor in the legislative process?
What is the role of a sponsor in the legislative process?
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Which chamber votes on the bill after it has gone through committee and subcommittee review?
Which chamber votes on the bill after it has gone through committee and subcommittee review?
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Why are Joint Committees significant in Congress?
Why are Joint Committees significant in Congress?
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How do committees enhance the efficiency of Congress?
How do committees enhance the efficiency of Congress?
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What happens after a bill is voted on by the full chamber of the House?
What happens after a bill is voted on by the full chamber of the House?
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What is the minimum number of electoral college votes a state can have?
What is the minimum number of electoral college votes a state can have?
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What is true about the method of selecting electors in states?
What is true about the method of selecting electors in states?
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What happens if a president exercises a pocket veto?
What happens if a president exercises a pocket veto?
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What is a key feature of the Electoral College debates?
What is a key feature of the Electoral College debates?
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What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto?
What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto?
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How many electors make up the total Electoral College?
How many electors make up the total Electoral College?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the National Popular Vote (NPV) bill?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the National Popular Vote (NPV) bill?
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What is a veto message?
What is a veto message?
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What is judicial review primarily a manifestation of?
What is judicial review primarily a manifestation of?
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Which statement best describes the nature of judicial review as anticipated by the founders?
Which statement best describes the nature of judicial review as anticipated by the founders?
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What mechanism do judges lack that limits their ability to enforce decisions?
What mechanism do judges lack that limits their ability to enforce decisions?
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What does 'curbing the Court' entail?
What does 'curbing the Court' entail?
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What is one criticism of a more activist judiciary?
What is one criticism of a more activist judiciary?
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What challenge might the Supreme Court face due to public or elite opinion?
What challenge might the Supreme Court face due to public or elite opinion?
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Which of the following represents a form of narrowly targeted court-curbing?
Which of the following represents a form of narrowly targeted court-curbing?
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What action can Congress take to limit the judiciary's influence?
What action can Congress take to limit the judiciary's influence?
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Study Notes
The Constitution
- A set of rules that guide the government's operations and decision-making.
- Outlines responsibilities of each branch to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Similar to corporate bylaws, it establishes rules for governance.
- Recognizes the difficulty of amending foundational rules, requiring careful consideration and consensus.
- Two interpretations:
- Originalism: Meaning of the Constitution is fixed and based on its original drafting.
- Living Constitution: Updates and adapts to societal changes.
Polarization
- Political, social, and ideological divisions in beliefs and opinions.
- Healthy in a democracy, providing checks and balances.
- Individuals identify strongly with their political party.
- Gap widens between democratic and republican ideologies impacting public opinion on issues like healthcare and immigration.
- Hinders effective governance and public discourse, focusing on rhetoric and ideology instead of pragmatic solutions.
Congressional Committees
- Standing committees: Permanent bodies with specific legislative responsibilities, including oversight.
- Select/special committees: Temporary groups with specific purposes.
- Joint committees: Composed of Representatives and Senators, resolve differences in bills between chambers.
Legislative Committees
- Where the real work of Congress happens.
- Discuss, compare, and evaluate legislation.
- Identify issues and choose bills for full chamber consideration.
- Specialize in policy areas, conduct investigations, and provide recommendations to Congress.
- Divide workload for efficient operation.
- Allow for bipartisan collaboration and expertise development.
How a Bill Becomes Law
- Step 1: Bill drafted by any Member of Congress.
- Step 2: Bill introduced in the House (if initiated by Representative) or Senate (if initiated by Senator).
- Step 3: Bill referred to committee for review.
- Step 4: Subcommittee review.
- Step 5: Floor debate.
- Step 6: Voting by full chamber.
- Step 7: Referral to the other chamber.
Powers of the President
- Defined by Article II of the US Constitution.
- Three types of power:
- Expressed: Explicitly listed in the Constitution.
- Delegated: Passed from Congress.
- Inherent: Assumed, representing the greatest source of power.
Key Presidential Powers:
- Commander in Chief: Directs military operations.
- Appointment Power: Appoints federal judges, ambassadors, and other officials (subject to Senate confirmation).
- Veto Power: Can reject bills passed by Congress.
- Diplomatic Power: Negotiates treaties and conducts foreign affairs.
- Pardon Power: Can pardon individuals convicted of federal crimes.
- Executive Order Power: Issues executive orders with the force of law.
Presidential Power Illusion
- The presidency is at the center of national attention.
- Many believe the president holds more power than they actually do.
- The modern presidency is more powerful than in the 19th century due to increased public expectations.
- Presidents must constantly acquire, protect, and expand power to meet those expectations.
Constitutional Ambiguity and Presidential Power
- The Constitution contains ambiguous language, open to interpretation.
- This allows for expansion of presidential power.
Electoral College
- A compromise between direct election by the people and election by Congress.
- Each state selects electors.
- Each state has a minimum number of electoral votes, proportional to its population.
- A total of 538 electors form the Electoral College.
- There is debate over the democracy of the Electoral College.
- Some argue it protects the interests of small states.
Presidential Veto
- The power to say 'no' to a bill passed by Congress.
- Two types:
- Veto Message: A written statement explaining the president's rejection, sent to Congress within 10 days of a bill's passage.
- Pocket Veto: If the president doesn't sign a bill within 10 days and Congress adjourns, the bill is rejected without action.
Judicial Review
- Expected by the founders, but not defined in the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court's power to invalidate laws and interpret the Constitution.
- It acts as a check and balance.
- The court's activism has been debated.
- Supporters see it as a defense against injustices.
- Critics see it as an overreach of power into public policy.
Checks on the Judiciary
- Limited enforcement power, making it theoretically possible for decisions to be ignored.
- Congress can impact the judiciary:
- Impeachment.
- Amendments to legislation.
- Public and elite opinion can influence judicial decisions and the legitimacy of the court.
- "Curbing the Court" refers to attempts to reduce its power and independence.
- Narrowly targeted: Limits consequences of specific decisions.
- Broadly targeted: Alters the institution in a permanent way.
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Description
Explore the fundamental aspects of the Constitution, including its guiding principles and the importance of its amendments. Delve into the concept of political polarization, examining its role in democracy and governance. Understand how differing interpretations of the Constitution impact political ideologies and public discourse.
