Congresss - April 2016

Question 1

What is an expressed power of Congress? Provide a few examples

Answer 1

An expressed power is a power explicitly stated in the Constitution. eg levy taxes, declare war, regulate currency

Question 2

What is an implied power of Congress? Provide a few examples

Answer 2

An implied power is not explicitly stated in the Constitution but allows it to make the laws ‘necessary and proper’ to fulfil the existing laws. eg minimum wage and the ability to regulate interstate commerce.

Question 3

What are the investigative powers of Congress? Why does Congress have them?

Answer 3

The power to investigate, usually delegated to specific committees. TO investigate the effectiveness of current legislature, to gather information for future laws and to prepare for impeachment

Question 4

What is the definition of a political party?

Answer 4

A political party is a group of people with at least similar political ideas who try to influence public policy by electing their candidates into office.

Question 5

What is the definition of a one party government?

Answer 5

A one party government is when the one political party has the right to dominate government.

Question 6

What is the definition of a multi-party government?

Answer 6

A multi-party government is when there are three or more political parties with roughly equal chances of gaining majority. Also called a coalition government.

Question 7

What is the definition of a two-party system?

Answer 7

A two party system is where there are two main political parties: a majority and a minority.

Question 8

In a two party system, what is the role of a third party?

Answer 8

The role of the third party is to represent those voters who are not represented by the main two parties.

Question 9

What is the Electoral College?

Answer 9

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Question 10

How does the Electoral College work?

Answer 10

The candidate’s party chooses the electors and the population votes on which electors to represent their views. Most states have a “winner-take-all” policy but not all do.

Question 11

How many electors make up the electoral college?

Answer 11

538

Question 12

How many electors are required to win the presidency?

Answer 12

270

Question 13

How is the number of electoral votes for each state determined?

Answer 13

The number of U.S. Senators (always two) plus the number of Representatives (varies)

Question 14

How many electoral votes does Illinois have?

Answer 14

20

Question 15

What are the pros of the Electoral college?

Answer 15

The electoral college helps the election process run smoothly, reinforces the idea of ‘united states’ and is usually very representative.

Question 16

What are the cons of the Electoral college?

Answer 16

Occasionally the minority party will be elected into office, discourages third parties, can diminish voter turnout.

Question 17

What are the requirements to be President?

Answer 17

To be the President of the United States you must be at least 35 years old, a resident for the past 14 years, and a ‘natural born citizen’

Question 18

Explain the role of Chief of State

Answer 18

The president must be an inspiring example to the American people and stand for the highest ideals of the country.

Question 19

Explain the role of Chief Executive

Answer 19

.

Question 20

Explain the role of Chief Diplomat

Answer 20

The president must define the country’s foreign policy

Question 21

Explain the role of Chief Administrator

Answer 21

.

Question 22

Explain the role of Commander in Chief

Answer 22

.

Question 23

Explain the role of Chief Legislator

Answer 23

.

Question 24

Explain the role of Chief of the Party

Answer 24

.

Question 25

What are the requirements to be Vice-President?

Answer 25

.

Question 26

What are the two formal duties of the Vice President?

Answer 26

.

Question 27

Define the executive presidential power

Answer 27

.

Question 28

Define the diplomatic presidential power

Answer 28

.

Question 29

Define the military presidential power

Answer 29

The president has the power to formulate and direct military strategy and actions in times of war and peace.

Question 30

Define the legislative presidential power

Answer 30

The president has the power to recommend legislation, sign or veto a bill and call congress into a special session

Question 31

Define the judicial presidential power

Answer 31

The president has three judicial powers: the ability to reprieve (postponement of a federal sentence), commutation (reduction of a federal sentence) and the ability to pardon (legal forgiveness of a federal crime)

Question 32

What is an executive order?

Answer 32

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Question 33

How have executive orders been used to influence U.S. policy?

Answer 33

The president uses executive orders when congress does not agree with the president over a very controversial topic. Examples include Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and Eisenhower’s desegregation of schools.

Question 34

What is the role of the Cabinet?

Answer 34

The Cabinet’s role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office

Question 35

What are the names of the departments of the Cabinet?

Answer 35

Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs (Angry capitalist dictators end their existence. “Ha! Ha! Ha!” Italian Liberals sing, “Time to vote!”)