US Government Structure and Constitution

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the Senate in the United States Congress?

To regulate commerce and coin money

To represent the Union with 2 Senators for each state (correct)

To declare war on behalf of the executive branch

To create, eliminate, and fund Departments

The House of Representatives is made up of 100 members.

False

What are the two chambers of the United States Congress?

House of Representatives and Senate

The legislative branch of the U.S. government is primarily responsible for __________.

making laws Signup and view all the answers

Match the following branches of government with their primary functions:

Legislative = Makes laws Executive = Enforces laws Judicial = Interprets laws Signup and view all the answers

How long are the terms for Representatives in Congress?

2 years Signup and view all the answers

Senators serve a term of 4 years.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of terms a President can serve?

2 terms Signup and view all the answers

The __________ outlines the country's policy and is presented before Congress each January.

State of the Union Address Signup and view all the answers

Who is the current Vice President of the United States?

Kamala Harris Signup and view all the answers

What is a reason for the high reelection rate in Congress?

High campaign funding from corporations Signup and view all the answers

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and serves as the last court of appeals.

True Signup and view all the answers

Match the following powers of the President:

Chief of the executive = Leads the administration Commander-in-chief = Leads the military Power of veto = Rejects legislation Represents the US abroad = Handles foreign affairs Signup and view all the answers

What are the institutions that comprise the executive branch of the U.S. government?

The Vice President, The Cabinet, The Executive Office, Federal Agencies Signup and view all the answers

Congress is hardly ever renewed due to extremely high __________ rate.

reelection Signup and view all the answers

The Supreme Court examines between to cases every year.

90, 200 Signup and view all the answers

Match the landmark cases with their significance:

Plessy v. Ferguson = Established 'separate but equal' doctrine Brown v. Board of Education = Ended racial segregation in schools Roe v. Wade = Legalized abortion Obergefell v. Hodges = Legalized same-sex marriage Signup and view all the answers

Midterm elections typically have high voter turnout.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Founding Documents

The US Constitution is a foundational document of the US Government, outlining the fundamental laws and principles.
The Bill of Rights is an essential component of the Constitution, guaranteeing basic rights and freedoms to all citizens.

Branches of Government

The US Government operates through a system of checks and balances, dividing power among three distinct branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Legislative Branch - Congress

Congress is a bicameral body, divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives represents the people, with 435 members elected based on population.
The Senate represents the states, with 100 members (two from each state).
The Senate has additional powers, including confirming presidential nominations, ratifying treaties, and trying impeachment cases.
Congress holds significant powers, such as voting on laws, regulating commerce, coining money, and declaring war.
Congress creates, eliminates, and funds departments.
Representatives are elected every two years, while senators serve six-year terms.
Reelection rates in Congress are extremely high, exceeding 95% due to factors like campaign financing, no term limits, and low voter turnout during midterm elections.
Challenges to representation exist due to factors like age, race, and gender disparities in Congress.

Executive Branch - Presidency

The President is the head of the executive branch, responsible for implementing and enforcing laws passed by Congress.
The President acts as the head of state, representing the US abroad.
The President serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The President's powers include vetoing legislation, nominating federal judges, and appointing high-ranking executive officers.
The President is elected for a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms.
The President delivers the State of the Union address annually to Congress, outlining the administration's policies and priorities.
The President relies on a hierarchy of advisors and officials, including the Vice President, Cabinet, the Executive Office, and Federal Agencies.
The Vice President supports the President, assumes the presidency in case of the President's death or resignation, and presides over the Senate.
The Cabinet is comprised of heads of 15 executive departments, each responsible for a specific area of government.

Judicial Branch - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US, serving as the final interpreter of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court functions as the last court of appeals, reviewing lower court decisions.
The Supreme Court consists of nine justices who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Justices serve lifetime appointments.
The Court hears 90-200 cases annually.
Landmark Supreme Court cases have profoundly impacted American society, such as Plessy v.Ferguson (1896), Brown v.Board of Education of Topeka (1954), Roe v.Wade (1973), Lawrence v. Texas (2003), Obergefell v.Hodges (2015), Bostock v.Clayton County (2020), and Dobbs v.Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022).

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Description

This quiz covers the foundational documents of the United States, including the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It also delves into the structure of the US Government, specifically focusing on the Legislative Branch, known as Congress, and its roles and responsibilities. Test your knowledge on how these elements interact within the system of checks and balances.