| A | B |
|---|
| Name the two houses of Congress | Senate and House of Representatives |
| Name the three branches of government. | Executive, Legislative, and Judicial |
| How old do you have to be to serve in the House of Representatives? | 25 |
| How long is one term for a Senator? | 6 years |
| How many Senators are there in Congress? | 100 |
| Which house of Congress can impeach? | House of Representatives |
| Who is our current President of the Senate? | Dick Cheney |
| As President of the Senate, what is his only job? | to break a tie |
| Why is the Congressional Record important? | it allows us to see houw our Congressmen voted on certain laws |
| If a bill is introduced that deals with money, which house must it start in? | House of Representatives |
| What is a quorum? | the number of people needed to conduct official business |
| What is Congressional immunity? | Privlidges that are given to Congressmen and Congresswomen. It can not be granted in the case of treason, felony, or breach of peace. This is what says a Congressperson can not be given a speeding ticket on the way to or from Congress. |
| This is the name for the system that keeps one branch from gaining too much power over the other branches. | checks and balances |
| What is the elastic clause? | it allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper |
| Why is the elastic clause important? | It allows Congress to make new laws as our country changes |
| What are changes to the Constitution called? | amendments |
| According to the Constitution, can states coin money? | no |
| How old do you have to be to be a Senator? | 30 |
| Explain the staggered system of election for Sentators. | Every two years, 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection |
| How long is one term of office in the House of Representatives? | 2 years |
| How long is one term of office for the President? | 4 years |
| If the President dies, who takes over? | the Vice President |
| If both the President and the Vice-President are killed, who becomes the President? | Speaker of the House |
| Which President resigned for fear of being impeached? | Nixon |
| Name the only two Presidents to be impeached. | Andrew Jackson and Bill Clinton |
| What is the name of the ceremony that takes place when a new President takes office. | inauguration |
| Who is our current commander in chief? | George W. Bush |
| What is the main purpose of political parties? | to get their candidates elected |
| What is the main purpose of th party not in office | to act as the watchdog |
| Who is the head of the legislative branch? | Congress |
| How long does a Supreme Court Justice serve? | for life |
| Treason is the only crime defined in the Constitution. What is treason? | Making war against your own country or aiding an enemy through spying |
| Who was convicted of treason against the United States? | Benedict Arnold |
| Who is the head of the Judicial Branch? | Supreme Court |
| What does it mean if someone is extradited? | they are taken back to where the crime was committed to face charges |
| Why is the Constitution called the Supreme Law of the land? | no law can go against the Constitution |
| Which branch has the power to declare laws unconsitutional? | Supreme Court |
| What does it mean if a jury is sequestered? | They are confined and information about the trial is concealed from them until a verdict is made |
| Where would you find the Bill of Rights in the Constitution? | the first ten amendments |
| If a President does not sign a bill is is said that he _____ it. | vetos it |
| What is a warrant? | A piece of paper signed by a judge that says they have the right to search |
| What is done with evidence that is collected without a warrant? | it is thrown out |
| If you appeal your case, what does that mean? | You were not happy withthe decision of the last court and you are doing to a higher court to have your case heard. |
| What does a lobbyist do? | Seeks to influence how members of Congress vote and to give Congressmen vital information |
| Who choses the President? | the Electoral College |
| If a President does not receive a majority in the Electoral College, who choses the President? | the House of Representatives |
| The Senate allows fillibustering, what is it? | It is talking a bill to death. You can talk as long as necessary to keep a bill from passing |
| What is the purpose of the Presidential Cabinet? | to advise the President |
| Does the Constitution say anything about a Presidential Cabinet? | no, it comes under the elastic clause |
| The beginning of the Constitution is called the _________ | Preamble |
| The system of indirectly electing the President is called the _________ | electoral college |
| What do interest groups do? | They usually contribute money to an elected official's campaign in order to try and influence his decision on a vote that will affect their special interest group. |
| How many total electoral votes are there? | 548 |
| How is the number of electoral votes determined? | By the total number of Senators and Congressmen in the State. |
| What part of the Constitution lists the powers and rights of American citizens? | The first ten amendments to the Constitution |
| What are some of the responsibilities of a citizen of the United States? | all males must register for the draft when they turn 18, stay informed of issues so you can make an informed decision in elections, serve on juries, |
| What is the first amendment? | Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, and Assembly |
| What is the second amendment? | The right to bear arms |
| What is the third amendment? | It limits the quartering of soldiers |
| What is the 4th amendment? | It limits unreasonable searches and seizures |
| What is the 5th amendment? | It deals with the rights of a person acused of a crime such as the right to a fair trial and protection from self-incrimination. |
| What is the sixth amendment? | Right to a speedy trial |
| What is the seventh amendment? | Right to a jury trial in civil cases |
| What is the 8th amendment? | Excessive bail or punishment is forbidden |
| What is the 9th amendment? | Citizens are entitled to rights not listed in teh Constitution |
| What is the 10th amendment. | Rights that are not given to the National Government and that are not denied to the states, are reserved for the people. |
