Semester 1 Exam (multiple Choice) Flashcards
1
Q
What year was the constitution written
A
Written in 1787 took affect in 1788
2
Q
What is the separation of powers
A
Assigns law making, law enforcing, and law interpreting to separate the branches of government
3
Q
What was the original plan for how the president and vice president were selected
A
The person with the most votes is president and the person with the second most votes is vice president
4
Q
What were the federalist papers
A
85 federalist papers which pushed to get the constitution ratified.
5
Q
Main arguments of Brutus 1
A
The size of the us was too large for a strong and efficient government
6
Q
What is federalism
A
Division of power between state and national government
7
Q
dual federalism
A
National and state government are clearly separated (layer cake)
8
Q
cooperative federalism
A
National and state government work together on forgiven policy (marble cake)
9
Q
What are enumerated powers
A
Powers given to the national government that are listed in the constitution
10
Q
Necessary and proper clause
A
Gives congress the rights to execute its powers
11
Q
Commerce clause
A
Only congress can regulate commerce with other countries amongst several states
12
Q
Fiscal federalism
A
The use of grants in aid to influence policy’s in states
13
Q
How many senators are there
A
100
14
Q
How many senators per state
A
2
15
Q
How long is demerits term of office
A
6 years
16
Q
How many house members are there
A
435
17
Q
How many house members per state
A
Depends on population
18
Q
How long is house members term of office
A
2 years
19
Q
Who is the speaker of the house
A
mike Johnson
20
Q
Senete majority leader
A
John thune
21
Q
Chief justice of Supreme Court
A
John Roberts
22
Q
Main author of Declaration of Independence
A
Thomas Jefferson
23
Q
New Jersey plan
A
One chamber legislative, equal number of votes per state
24
Q
Virginia plan
A
The legislative branch would have two houses, both decided by population of each state
25
Great compromise
Two chambers of congress, one based on population, the other had equal representation of all states
26
Under the electoral college, how many votes per state for president
Same as the sum of representatives + senators
27
Which clause speaks when state and National laws conflict
Supremacy clause
28
What year was constitution written
1787
29
What happens if no candidate revives a majority of electoral votes
House will choose the president
30
Original plan for how president and vice president were elected
Person with most votes in president, person with second most is vice president
31
How long is federal judges term and why
Lifetime due to separation of powers and to prevent influence from other branches
32
How are federal judges appointed
Appointed by president, confirmed by senate
33
What compromise was made reguardinv slavery in order to ratify the constitution
Three fifths compromise
34
What is the three fifths compromise
A slave counted as 3/5 of a person, fugitive slaves had to be returned. Slave trade cannot be illuminated for at least 20 years.
35
What are you called if your support the constitution and why did they support
You’re called a federalist, and they supported because they felt the government was too weak
36
Antifederalists
Opposed the constitution because they felt government is too strong and states would loose rights
37
Federalist papers
85 of them which pushed to get the constitution ratified
38
Federalist 10
Proposed government, it is not likely to be dominated by a faction
39
Federalist 51
Checks and balances and separation of powers would prevent Tyranny
40
Federalist 70
Stated that a single executive is best because it allows for decisive decision making
41
Federalist 78
Judiciary is the least dangerous branch. It has neither force, nor will only judgment.
42
Brutus 1
The size of the US was too large for a strong and efficient central government
43
What was added to ensure the ratification of the constitution
Bill of rights
44
What supreme court case established the principle of judicial review
Marbury vs Madison
45
Federalism
Division of power between state and national government
46
Dual federalism
National and state government are clearly separated (Layer cake)
47
Cooperative federalism
National and state government work together on foreign policy (marble cake)
48
Enumerated powers
Powers that are given to the national government that are listed in the constitution
49
Necessary and proper clause
Gives Congress the authority to legislate as it sees fit and to carry out constituency powers
50
Commerce clause
Only Congress can regulate commerce with other countries amongst several states and Indian tribes
51
Selective incorporation
Applies Bill of Rights to states on a case by case basis
52
Grants in aid
Money given from one level of government to another
53
Fiscal federalism
Federal government uses grants in aid to influence policys in the states
54
What was decided in the supreme court case of United States vsLopez?
Limits the national governments ability to regulate behavior based on the commerce clause this strengthened the state government compared to national government
55
What was decided in the Supreme Court case of McCulloch vsMaryland
National bank is constitutional under the supremacy clause. state cannot tax national bank, and strengthend the powers of the national government
56
10th amendment
Any power is not specifically given to the national government or denied to the states go to the states
57
What is the role of both house and senate regarding impeachment?
The president can be impeached by majority in the house and trial in senate with 2/3 votes needed
58
Descriptive representation
A belief that constitutes are more effectively represented by legislators that are similar to them and things like race or ethnicity
59
Why does congress usecommittees
Divide and conquer, allows Congress to become experts in key cases
60
Standing committee
Permanent congressional committee that specializes in a particular area
61
Committee chair
Head of committee, sets agenda for committee, and they’re from majority party
62
What is a select committee and when are they used
Temporary committee created for a specific purpose and disbanded after that purpose is fulfilled
63
Names of the roles of leaders in the house and senate
Speaker of the house, head of the house, majority leader is most powerful in senate
64
What constitutional amendment changes the method in which senators are selected and how did this happen?
17th amendment in 1913 before that senators were appointed, and the house is always been elected
65
What is reapportionment and when does it occur?
Districts are re-drawn based on Changes in population, this occurs after each census
66
Gerrymandering
Uses redistricting to benefit a specific interest or a group of voters
67
What is an incumbent and what is their advantage?
A current office holder they have better name, recognition usually more money on hand, then challengers and franking privilege which means they can send mail for free
68
What is filibuster and cloture
Unlimited debate to prevent a vote in the senate. you can get around filibuster by using cloture there are 60 votes for cloture
69
Divided government
When a party controls the presidency of both chambers of Congress split
70
Budget setting progress
Created by a president approved by both chambers of Congress
71
Mandatory spending
Must be included in budget. Congress does not need to approve every year. (Medicare)
72
Discretionary spending
Items like education, which must be voted on every year
73
Budget surplus
When government collects more money in taxes than it spends in one year
74
What is deflect?
National government spends more money than it collects in taxes in one year
75
Bipartisanship
When the two political parties work together to pass legislation
76
How many articles are there in the constitution?
7
77
How many amendments are in the constitution?
27
78
Who has to approve for a bill to become law
The house and senate
79
Delegate roll
When a Member of congress votes based off majority of other constituents want
80
Trustee roll
When a member of Congress makes decisions using knowledge and judgment
81
What was decided in Baker vs Carr
State legislative districts and population districts have to be almost equal population under the 14th Amendment
82
What was decided in Shaw vs Reno?
Race cannot be the only factor on how a congressional district is drawn
83
Requirements to become a president
At least 35 years old, a natural born citizen, and lived in the US for the past 14 years
84
What do we do if there is a vacancy in the role of the vice president?
The president picks a new vice president, and both chambers of Congress have to approve under the 25th amendment
85
What role does the president have in the legislative process
President become increasingly active in all stages of the legislative process
86
How long can a president serve in office total?
Two-year terms and max of 10 years under the 22nd amendment
87
What are the main reasons that someone running for president may consider choosing their running mate as vice president
Appeal to specific geographic region, or a different strength than present
88
Executive privilege
All right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts, confidential, especially from Congress
89
What’s the process in order to become a cabinet member?
Appointed by President, and confirmed by senate
90
Role of chief executive
Overseas federal bureaucracy
91
State of the Union address
Annual speech from president to Congress updating that branch on state and national affairs
92
Executive orders
A presidential directive that creates or modifies a law without Congress is approval
93
Role of committee chief
Head of the military chain and can give military directives, but only Congress can declare war
94
How many cabinet departments exist and how are they created
There are 15 and they are created by an act of congress
95
Civil service
Make sure most government jobs are filled based on merit, not hired or fired based off politics
96
Iron triangle
Relationship between beauaucracy, congress, and interest groups to join forces to create policies
97
Deregulation
Beaucratic reform where government reduces its role as regulator of business
98
Oversight
Congress making sure laws are being carried out as intended for investigation (main thing congress does)
99
The terms for commissioners and reasons
Reset times to provide more insulation for politics
100
Political parsonage
Giving mostly cabinet positions as reasons for loyalty
101
Hatch act and why it was created
It tries to prevent federal workers from engaging in politics
102
How many US district in a pill and circuit courts are there?
94 district courts 13 circuit courts each state has at least one District Court, no District Court covers more than one state
103
Appellate jurisdiction
Hearing a case that is already been heard
104
Judicial restraint
When a judge is hesitant to overturn, previous presidents or existing laws
105
Judicial activism
Judges, interpret existing laws and presidents, loosely and intersect their opinions in actions.
106
Majority opinion
Opinion that the most judges have it becomes binding opinion and precinent for others
107
Concurring opinion
Agree with the result, but for a different reason
108
Dissenting opinion
Disagree with majority
109
How are federal judges, appointments part of presidents legacy?
What time is day of president a chance since their term is lifetime to have a lasting impact for judicial appointment since their term is lifetime
110
Chief justice
Direct Supreme Court conferences
111
Solicitor general
Represents the US (federal government)
112
Amicus curiae briefs
Briefs filled in case by someone who is not in a party, but they have interest in it
(Interest groups)
113
Senatorial courtesy
District in appeals court, nominees, must be acceptable in home state senator from presidents party
114
Precedent (stare decisis)
Name of judicial ruling that serves as bases for the ruling in another case
115
What constitutional amendment changes the method in which senators were selected and how did it happen?
The 17th amendment in 1913, before that sounders were pointed. A house is always been elected
116
Main author of the declaration of independence
Thomas Jefferson
117
What was the main purpose of the declaration of independence?
People greed to government to protect our nature, is going to remove leaders who violate these rights
118
Weaknesses of articles of confederation
National gov could not tax, no independent leadership position, government could not regulate interstate and foreign commerce
119
How are votes determined in the articles of confederation and how many votes are needed an important issues?
Every state has one voted, 9/13 votes needed
120
How long of a term do federal judges serve and why?
Lifetime do the separation of powers, and to prevent influence from other branches
121
How are federal judges appointed?
Appointed by President confirmed by senate
