US Congress Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is required for a new state to be formed in the United States?

Completion of a state constitution

Admission by Congress (correct)

Approval from the state population

Merger with an existing state

Which of the following is NOT a power reserved for state governments?

Regulate trade within the state

Conduct elections

Amend the Constitution (correct)

Create corporation law

What does the Extradition Clause pertain to?

Rights of states to levy taxes

Return of accused persons fleeing justice (correct)

Privileges of citizens in different states

Public health regulations

Which statement accurately describes the Full Faith and Credit Clause?

States must recognize each other’s public acts and judicial proceedings. Signup and view all the answers

Which clause mandates the return of runaway slaves or indentured servants?

Fugitive Slaves Clause Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age requirement to serve as a member of the House of Representatives?

25 years old Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?

Each state has an equal number of Senators. Signup and view all the answers

What power does the House of Representatives specifically hold regarding impeachment?

Impeach elected officials Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Speaker of the House?

Preside over the House of Representatives Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the principle that allows Congress to stretch its powers?

Elastic Clause Signup and view all the answers

How often must a population count be conducted for representation in the House of Representatives?

Every 10 years Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key powers granted to Congress?

Override a President's veto Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the structure where power is divided among three branches of government?

Separation of Powers Signup and view all the answers

What is required for Congress to override a presidential veto?

A 2/3 supermajority vote in both houses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the presidency is true?

The President is elected by the Electoral College. Signup and view all the answers

What power does the President have concerning treaties?

Treaties must be ratified by the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following powers is NOT held solely by the President?

Declaring war. Signup and view all the answers

How long must a candidate have lived in the U.S. to be eligible for the presidency?

14 years. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the President serve in relation to the armed forces?

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Supreme Court's ruling regarding Georgia's plan to remove the Cherokee people?

It was ruled unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

Which Supreme Court case invalidated Virginia's ban on interracial marriage?

Loving v. Virginia Signup and view all the answers

What are implied powers?

Powers not listed in the Constitution but understood to exist. Signup and view all the answers

What right did the Supreme Court uphold in Tinker v. Des Moines regarding students?

Right to free speech. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary responsibility of the President?

To carry out the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What was established for indigenous people through the Supreme Court decision concerning Georgia's law?

Recognition as a sovereign nation. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of Obergefell v. Hodges on same-gender couples?

Recognition of legal marriages nationwide. Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment's Equal Protection Clause played a crucial role in the rulings of both Loving v. Virginia and Obergefell v. Hodges?

Fourteenth Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What action did the students in Tinker v. Des Moines take to protest?

Wore black armbands. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges ultimately recognize for same-gender couples?

The right to the same state benefits as opposite-gender couples. Signup and view all the answers

What is an executive order?

A declaration by the president or a governor that has the force of law Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Supreme Court justices?

To interpret and uphold the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a check that the Executive branch has over the Legislative branch?

Enforce laws directly Signup and view all the answers

How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?

Nine Signup and view all the answers

What landmark case established the principle of judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is one of the Supreme Court's original jurisdictions?

Cases involving foreign diplomats Signup and view all the answers

What did the Judiciary Act of 1869 establish regarding the Supreme Court Justices?

It fixed the number of Justices at nine. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI?

It gives the Supreme Court the right to overrule state laws that violate the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What principle was established by the Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison?

Judicial review Signup and view all the answers

What was the main legal argument used by McCulloch in the case against the tax imposed by Maryland?

The Necessary and Proper Clause granted federal powers. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did McCulloch v. Maryland have on the relationship between state and federal power?

It strengthened federal authority over the states. Signup and view all the answers

In Gibbons v. Ogden, what was the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the Commerce Clause?

It was broadly interpreted to expand federal power. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue in Worcester v. Georgia?

Removal of Cherokee people from their land. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the phrase 'the power to tax involves the power to destroy' in the context of McCulloch v. Maryland?

It underscores the threats posed by state taxation to federal authority. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the Supreme Court's decision in Gibbons v. Ogden have on federal powers?

It led to a broader scope for federal regulation of commerce. Signup and view all the answers

Which group sought justice in the Supreme Court through Worcester v. Georgia?

The Cherokee nation and its defenders. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

State Formation

A new state can only be admitted if it is approved by Congress and the President. This process usually begins with an act of Congress authorizing a territory to write a state constitution.

Powers Reserved for State Governments

The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not explicitly granted to the federal government to state governments.

Extradition Clause

The Extradition Clause in Article IV of the Constitution obligates each state to return fugitive criminals to the state where the crime was committed.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

The Full Faith and Credit Clause, found in Article IV of the Constitution, mandates that each state recognize judicial decisions made in other states.

Fugitive Slave Clause

The Fugitive Slave Clause, found in Article IV of the Constitution, requires states to return escaped slaves to their owners.

House Membership Requirements

The minimum age requirement for a member of the House of Representatives is 25 years old.

Senate Facts

Senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for election every two years, ensuring continuous representation.
Each state has two senators regardless of population.

House Power over Impeachment

The House of Representatives is responsible for initiating the impeachment process against a federal official. The House votes to impeach or not, but the Senate holds the impeachment trial.

Speaker of the House

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives and serves as the leader of the majority party in the House. They are responsible for setting the legislative agenda and directing debate.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The Necessary and Proper Clause (or Elastic Clause), in Article I of the Constitution, allows Congress to make laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its listed powers.

Census

The Constitution mandates a population count, or census, every ten years to determine the number of Representatives each state will have.

Key Powers of Congress

One of the key powers granted to Congress is declaring war.

Separation of Powers

Separation of Powers refers to the division of government powers into three distinct branches: the legislative branch (Congress), the executive branch (President), and the judicial branch (courts).

Presidential Veto Override

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

Facts About the Presidency

The President serves a four-year term and is subject to a two-term limit.
The President has the power to grant pardons for federal crimes.

President's Treaty Power

The President has the power to negotiate treaties with foreign nations, but the Senate must ratify them with a two-thirds majority vote.

President's Exclusive Powers

The President has the power to grant pardons for federal crimes.

Presidential Eligibility

To be eligible for the presidency, a candidate must have been a natural-born citizen of the U.S., resided in the U.S. for at least 14 years, and be at least 35 years old.

President's Commander-in-Chief Role

The President serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, having ultimate authority over the military.

Cherokee Removal

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation in Worcester v. Georgia, recognizing their sovereignty. However, the federal government ultimately ignored this ruling, forcing the Cherokee people from their lands through the Trail of Tears.

Interracial Marriage

The Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia invalidated Virginia's ban on interracial marriage.

Implied Powers

Implied powers are those that are not expressly stated in the Constitution but are considered necessary for Congress to carry out its enumerated powers.

Student Rights

The Supreme Court upheld students' right to engage in symbolic speech in Tinker v. Des Moines.

Presidential Responsibility

One of the President's main responsibilities is to appoint federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.

Supreme Court ruling on Georgia's law

The Supreme Court ruling in Worcester v. Georgia established that Cherokee people were a distinct, sovereign nation.

Obergefell v. Hodges Impact

Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Equal Protection Clause in Loving & Obergefell

The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause formed the legal basis for the Supreme Court's rulings in both Loving v. Virginia and Obergefell v. Hodges

Tinker v. Des Moines Student Actions

The students involved in Tinker v. Des Moines wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.

Obergefell v. Hodges Recognition

The Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges recognized the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry.

Executive Orders

Executive orders are directives issued by the President with the force of law.

Role of Supreme Court Justices

The primary role of Supreme Court justices is to interpret the Constitution and decide cases that involve federal law.

Executive Branch Check on Legislative Branch

The President can veto legislation passed by Congress.

Number of Supreme Court Justices

There are nine justices currently serving on the Supreme Court.

Judicial Review Establishment

The principle of judicial review was established by the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison.

Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

One of the Supreme Court's original jurisdictions is cases affecting ambassadors.

Judiciary Act of 1869

The Judiciary Act of 1869 established the Supreme Court's size at nine justices.

Supremacy Clause

The Supremacy Clause in Article Six of the Constitution states that federal law is supreme over state law, when laws conflict.

Marbury v. Madison Principle

The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review—the power of the judiciary to declare acts of the legislative and executive branches unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland Argument

McCulloch argued that the National Bank was necessary to carry out Congress's enumerated powers, even though the power to create a bank was not specifically listed in the Constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland Impact

The Supreme Court's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland strengthened the powers of the federal government by affirming the principle of implied powers and the Supremacy Clause.

Gibbons v. Ogden Ruling

In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court ruled that the Commerce Clause gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, including navigation.

Worcester v. Georgia Issue

The main issue in Worcester v. Georgia was the state of Georgia's attempt to assert jurisdiction over Cherokee lands.

“The Power to Tax Involves the Power to Destroy”

This phrase, used in McCulloch v. Maryland meant that if a state could tax a federal entity out of existence, it would fundamentally undermine the federal government's ability to carry out its powers.

Gibbons v. Ogden Effect on Federal Powers

Gibbons v. Ogden gave Congress broad power over interstate commerce, expanding federal power and narrowing the scope of state government's power in this area.

Worcester v. Georgia Justice Seekers

The Cherokee Nation sought justice through the Supreme Court in Worcester v. Georgia regarding their rights to their lands and sovereignty.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the structure and powers of the U.S. Congress, including the House of Representatives and the Senate. Learn about their membership, election cycles, qualifications, and special powers. Perfect for understanding the legislative branch of the U.S. government.