US Constitution Flashcards
Recall facts from US constitution for AZ teacher test (85 cards)
1
Q
What is the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?
A
To form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.
2
Q
What powers are vested in the Congress according to Article I, Section 1?
A
All legislative Powers.
3
Q
How often are members of the House of Representatives elected?
A
Every second Year.
4
Q
What are the age and citizenship requirements to be a Representative?
A
At least twenty-five years old and a citizen for seven years.
5
Q
What is the formula for apportioning Representatives among the States?
A
According to their respective Numbers, including free Persons and excluding Indians not taxed.
6
Q
What is the minimum number of Representatives a State can have?
A
At least one Representative.
7
Q
Who has the sole Power of Impeachment?
A
The House of Representatives.
8
Q
What is the term length for a Senator?
A
Six Years.
9
Q
What are the age and citizenship requirements to be a Senator?
A
At least thirty years old and a citizen for nine years.
10
Q
Who presides over the Senate?
A
The Vice President of the United States.
11
Q
What is required for a conviction in an impeachment trial?
A
Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
12
Q
What powers does Congress have regarding elections?
A
To prescribe the Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections.
13
Q
What constitutes a quorum in each House of Congress?
A
A Majority of each House.
14
Q
What privileges do Senators and Representatives have during their attendance?
A
Privileged from Arrest, except for Treason, Felony, and Breach of the Peace.
15
Q
Where do all Bills for raising Revenue originate?
A
In the House of Representatives.
16
Q
What happens if the President does not return a Bill within ten Days?
A
It shall become a Law as if he had signed it.
17
Q
What powers does Congress have according to Section 8?
A
To lay and collect Taxes, borrow Money, regulate Commerce, establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, coin Money, and make all Laws necessary and proper.
18
Q
What is prohibited to Congress according to Section 9?
A
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
19
Q
What powers are denied to the States according to Section 10?
A
No State shall enter into any Treaty, coin Money, or keep Troops in time of Peace.
20
Q
Who holds the executive Power in the United States?
A
The President of the United States.
21
Q
What is the term length for the President?
A
Four Years.
22
Q
Fill in the blank: The House of Representatives shall choose their ______.
A
Speaker and other Officers.
23
Q
True or False: The Senate can propose amendments to revenue bills.
A
True.
24
Q
What shall be the basis for direct taxes according to Section 9?
A
Proportion to the Census or enumeration.
25
What is the role of the Chief Justice during an impeachment trial of the President?
To preside over the trial.
26
What is required for a State to lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports?
Consent of Congress.
27
What is vested in the President of the United States according to Article II, Section 1?
The executive Power
## Footnote
This section establishes the role and authority of the President.
28
How long is the term for the President of the United States?
Four years
## Footnote
The President serves a four-year term, alongside the Vice President.
29
How many electors are appointed?
Equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives
## Footnote
Each state appoints Electors based on its Congressional representation.
30
Who is not eligible to be appointed as an Elector?
Senator, Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States
## Footnote
This ensures impartiality in the Electoral process.
31
What must the Electors do after voting?
Make a List of all Persons voted for and the Number of Votes for each
## Footnote
This list is certified and transmitted to the President of the Senate.
32
What happens if no presidential candidate receives a majority of votes?
The House of Representatives shall choose the President from the five highest on the List
## Footnote
This ensures a method for resolving electoral tie situations.
33
What is required for a person to be eligible for the Office of President?
Natural born Citizen, at least 35 years old, and 14 years a resident
## Footnote
These criteria establish the qualifications for presidential candidates.
34
What happens in the case of the President's removal from office?
The Vice President assumes the powers and duties
## Footnote
Congress may provide for succession in both President and Vice President's absence.
35
What is the President's role concerning the military?
Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
## Footnote
The President has ultimate authority over U.S. military forces.
36
What power does the President have regarding treaties?
Make Treaties with the Advice and Consent of the Senate
## Footnote
Requires a two-thirds majority of Senators present for ratification.
37
What is the judicial power of the United States vested in?
One supreme Court and inferior Courts established by Congress
## Footnote
This structure outlines the federal judiciary system.
38
What is the original jurisdiction of the supreme Court?
Cases affecting Ambassadors and those in which a State is a Party
## Footnote
Original jurisdiction means the supreme Court hears these cases first.
39
What constitutes treason against the United States?
Levying War against them or adhering to their Enemies
## Footnote
Conviction requires testimony from two witnesses or a confession.
40
What is guaranteed to every State in the Union?
A Republican Form of Government
## Footnote
The federal government is responsible for protecting states against invasion.
41
What is required for Congress to propose amendments to the Constitution?
Two-thirds of both Houses must deem it necessary
## Footnote
This ensures that amendments have substantial support before being proposed.
42
What does the Supremacy Clause establish?
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States shall be the supreme Law of the Land
## Footnote
Establishes federal law as superior to state laws.
43
What does the First Amendment protect?
Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
## Footnote
This amendment ensures fundamental civil liberties.
44
What does the Second Amendment address?
The right of the people to keep and bear Arms
## Footnote
This amendment reflects concerns about individual rights and state security.
45
What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?
Unreasonable searches and seizures
## Footnote
Requires warrants to be issued based on probable cause.
46
What rights are guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment?
Rights concerning due process, self-incrimination, and double jeopardy
## Footnote
This amendment safeguards against legal abuses.
47
In what type of cases does the Sixth Amendment ensure the right to a speedy and public trial?
In all criminal prosecutions
## Footnote
Ensures fairness in the judicial process.
48
What does the Eighth Amendment prohibit?
Excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments
## Footnote
This amendment aims to ensure humane treatment within the justice system.
49
What does the Ninth Amendment state about rights?
The enumeration of certain rights shall not deny or disparage others retained by the people
## Footnote
This amendment acknowledges that people have rights beyond those explicitly listed.
50
What does the Tenth Amendment reserve?
Powers not delegated to the United States nor prohibited to the States
## Footnote
This ensures states retain powers not specifically granted to the federal government.
51
What does the Eleventh Amendment limit?
Judicial power regarding suits against a State by Citizens of another State or foreign subjects
## Footnote
This amendment protects state sovereignty in certain legal cases.
52
What is the main focus of the Twelfth Amendment?
The process for electing the President and Vice President
## Footnote
Establishes how Electors vote and how votes are counted.
53
What role does the President of the Senate have regarding the counting of electoral votes?
The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted.
54
What is required for a person to be elected President?
The person having the greatest number of votes for President must have a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed.
55
What happens if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes?
The House of Representatives shall choose the President from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three.
56
How is the voting conducted in the House of Representatives when choosing a President?
The votes shall be taken by states, with each state having one vote.
57
What constitutes a quorum for the House of Representatives to choose a President?
A quorum shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states.
58
What occurs if the House of Representatives does not choose a President before March 4?
The Vice-President shall act as President.
59
What is the requirement for a person to be elected Vice-President?
The person having the greatest number of votes for Vice-President must have a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed.
60
What happens if no candidate receives a majority of votes for Vice-President?
The Senate shall choose the Vice-President from the two highest numbers on the list.
61
What does Section 1 of the 13th Amendment state?
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States, except as punishment for crime.
62
What power does Congress have under Section 2 of the 13th Amendment?
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
63
What does Section 1 of the 14th Amendment establish about citizenship?
All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside.
64
What protections are guaranteed by Section 1 of the 14th Amendment?
No state shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens, deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process, or deny equal protection of the laws.
65
What criteria does Section 2 of the 14th Amendment outline for apportioning Representatives?
Representatives shall be apportioned according to the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.
66
What consequence is outlined in Section 2 of the 14th Amendment for states denying the vote?
The basis of representation shall be reduced in proportion to the number of male citizens denied the right to vote.
67
What does Section 3 of the 14th Amendment state about holding office?
No person shall hold office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution after taking an oath to support it.
68
What does Section 4 of the 14th Amendment state regarding public debt?
The validity of the public debt authorized by law shall not be questioned, except for debts incurred in aid of insurrection.
69
What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?
The right to vote shall not be denied on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
70
What power does Congress have under the 15th Amendment?
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
71
What does the 16th Amendment allow Congress to do?
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes without apportionment among the states.
72
How are Senators elected according to the 17th Amendment?
The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof.
73
What does the 18th Amendment prohibit?
The manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors is prohibited.
74
What is required for the 18th Amendment to be in effect?
It must be ratified as an amendment to the Constitution within seven years.
75
What does the 19th Amendment guarantee?
The right to vote shall not be denied on account of sex.
76
What does Section 1 of the 20th Amendment state about the end of terms?
The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on January 20.
77
What does Section 3 of the 20th Amendment outline for the case of a deceased President-elect?
The Vice President-elect shall become President if the President-elect dies.
78
What does the 21st Amendment do?
The 18th Amendment is hereby repealed.
79
What restriction does the 22nd Amendment place on the presidency?
No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.
80
What does the 23rd Amendment provide for the District of Columbia?
The District shall appoint electors for President and Vice President equal to the number of Senators and Representatives it would be entitled to if it were a State.
81
What does the 24th Amendment prohibit?
The right to vote shall not be denied due to failure to pay poll tax or other tax.
82
What happens if the President is removed from office according to the 25th Amendment?
The Vice President shall become President.
83
What does Section 3 of the 25th Amendment allow the President to do?
The President can transmit a written declaration of inability to discharge powers, allowing the Vice President to act as Acting President.
84
What age must citizens be to vote as per the 26th Amendment?
Citizens must be eighteen years of age or older.
85
What does the 27th Amendment state about congressional compensation?
No law varying compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened.
