Study Guide Answers



Study Guide AnswersLegislative BranchWhat is the structure of the Legislative Branch according to Article I of the Constitution?The Legislative Branch is divided into 2 houses --- the House of Representatives and the Senate. HR = Larger of 2 houses; based on state’s populationSenate = “More Senior” and makes more crucial/critical decisionsWhat does bi-cameral mean?2 housesWhat is the main role/responsibility of Congress? What are these also known as?Make the laws --- to legislate; Laws start off as billsWho is the leader of the House of Representatives?Speaker of the HouseWhat are the requirements to run for the House of Representatives?25 years old, live in US 7 yearsHow many members are in the House of Representatives? How often are they elected?435 members; every 2 years they are electedWho is the leader of the Senate who breaks tie votes?Vice PresidentWhat is the President Pro Tempore?Person in the Senate who serves in place of the President when he can serveHow many members are in the Senate? How often are they elected?100 members; every 6 years they are electedWhat are the requirements to run for the Senate?30 years old; live in US 9 years.What makes someone a “majority” leader in Congress?This is the?leader?of the?political party -- i.e., Republican, Democratic, Independent, etc –that has the MORE THAN 50% of the members in each houseWhat makes someone a “minority” leader in Congress?This is the?leader?of the?political party -- i.e., Republican, Democratic, Independent, etc –that has the LESS THAN 50% the members in each houseWhat is a standing committee?A permanent committee in the House or Senate --- i.e., Budget Committee determines how much money government spendsWhat is a special committee?Committee created with a special focus; usually short term --- i.e., Special Committee on Hurricane Fran Disaster ReliefWhat is a conference committee?A?committee?of by the House of Representatives and Senate to resolve differences or disagreements on a particular billDefine implied powers.Powers not written in the Constitution. They are inferred.List all of the powers of Congress. (Make sure you know what coin money and the word “regulate” means)Collect taxes, pay debts, and borrow moneyRegulate commerce (trade) between the states and with other countriesCoin money and punish counterfeitersPunish pirates (!) Establish post offices, protect patents and copyrights Create lower federal courtsDeclare war, raise and support an Army and NavyMake any other laws that are “necessary and proper” to carry our the powers in this listCreate rules on how to become a citizenWhat is a majority vote?50% + 1 vote; over half of the votes.After a Congressman drafts (writes) a bill and introduces it to Congress, what happens to the bill next?It goes to committee to be researched and debatedAfter a bill passes in the House OR Senate, it then goes where?To the other house that has not reviewed it. If both houses have approved it, then it goes to the president.What are the two main things the president can do with a bill?Sign it, or veto it.If a president vetoes a bill, what can be done to overrule that veto into a law?Congress can override a veto by 2/3 votes.Explain the two step process for impeaching a government official..What are checks and balances?How the Constitution sets up a branch’s powers so it checks another branch; keeps it from becoming too powerful.Executive BranchWhat is the main role/responsibility of the executive branch? Carry out the laws or enforces itWhat are the three qualifications to run for office of the president? How often is the president elected?Born in the US35 years oldLive in US for 14 years prior to runningWhat are the different powers the president has, according to Article II of the Constitution?How are presidential appointments approved?The Senate must approve themHow are treaties the president makes approved?The Senate must approve themWhat is the president’s cabinet? Who appoints members to the cabinet?Leaders/heads of government departments; appointed by the presidentWhat are the two main roles of the president’s cabinet?Advise the President on issues/decisions specific to their departmentManage the workings of their departmentExplain the president’s power of executive order?A rule or decision issued by the president that carries the force of law. Doesn’t go through the Congressional process and can be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.Explain the president’s power to pardon?Right of president under Article II to forgive someone for a federal (national) crime, or to excuse someone from a punishment.?Judicial BranchWho appoints Supreme Court Justices? Who approves the appointment? PresidentWhat is the title for the leader of the Supreme Court?Chief JusticeWhat is the only court Article III of the U.S. Constitution creates?US Supreme CourtWho has the power to create all courts lower than the Supreme Court?Congress has the authority to create lower federal courts as neededDiagram the 3 courts at the federal level from lowest to highest. Trial/District Court viewed on same level in pyramid.Diagram the 4 courts at the state (Florida) level from lowest to highest.What is the purpose of a trial court?What is the purpose of the appellate court system?To hear appeals on decisions from lower courtsWhat is a summary judgment?Used when there is no dispute as to the facts of the case, and one party is entitled to?judgment, or ruling on the matter at hand. Helps to minimize unnecessary hearings or trials The Bill of Rights and AmendmentsWhat are the Bill of Rights?1st 10 amendments to the ConstitutionWhat are the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment? RAPPS = Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, SpeechWhen someone says they are “pleading the fifth”, what do they mean?The wish not to testify/speak; not self incriminateWhat does the “right to bear arms” mean?Right to have weapons for protectionWhat does it mean when it says you have the “right to legal counsel”?Right to have an attorneyWhat does it mean that citizens are protected from unreasonable “searches and seizures”?Must have a warrant before your property can be searched.What does it mean that citizens have the right to a “trial by jury”?Right to have a group of your peers/citizens from the community determine your guilt or innocence after hearing evidence presented in a caseWhat was the purpose of the 10th amendment? To make sure that responsibilities not assigned to the federal government to do are left to the states to carry out.What does the 14th amendment mean when we say “equal protection under the law?” All persons who are citizens are created equal.What rights are outlined in the 13th and 15th amendment and who gained those rights?13th Amendment ended slavery15th Amendment gave slaves freed and any person a citizen in the US the right to vote.What rights are outlined in the 19th amendment and who gained those rights?Women’s Right to VoteWhat rights are outlined in the 24th amendment and who gained those rights?The end of poll taxes or asking people to pay a fee to vote because voting is free.What rights are outlined in the 26th amendment and who gained those rights?The right to vote at 18 years old.All of the “other amendments” (13, 14, 15, 19, 24, and 26) were made for specific reasons. What do they all have in common?Provide equal protection/equality/fairness under the law. Ensures all races, genders, ages justice.Supreme Court Cases (see GREEN SHEET)Marbury v. MadisonPlessy v. FergusonBrown v. Board of EducationGideon v. WainwrightMiranda v. ArizonaHazelwood v. KuhlmeierIn re gaultTinker v. Des MoinesU.S. v NixonBush v. GoreDC. v. Heller ................
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