Civics: American Constitutional Government National Level 6

Front 1

What does the Constitution of the United States say/define?

Back 1

The Constitution defines the structure and powers of the National government.

Front 2

How are powers divided in government?

Back 2

Powers are divided between the national government and the governments of the 50 states.

Front 3

The national government is divided into 3 branches. What are they?

Back 3

1. Legislative branch

2. Executive branch

3. Judicial branch

Front 4

The legislative branch is divided into 2 parts, what are they?

Back 4

1. House of Representatives

2. Senate

Front 5

What is another name for the 2 houses?

Back 5

Congress

Front 6

How is the number of representatives in the House of Representatives determined?

Back 6

Based on population of the state

Front 7

How is the number of Senators in the Senate determined?

Back 7

There are 2 senators per state, regardless of population of the the state.

Front 8

What is the main responsibility of Congress?

Back 8

Make laws for the nation

Front 9

What else can Congress do? 5 things

Back 9

1. Approve the annual budget

2. Confirm presidential appointments

3. Raise revenue through taxes

4. Regulate interstate and foreign trade

5. Declare war

Front 10

Who is the head of the Executive branch of the government?

Back 10

The president of the United States

Front 11

What is the main responsibility of the executive branch?

Back 11

Execute the laws of the land

Front 12

What else does the executive branch do? 3 things

Back 12

1. Prepare the annual budget for congressional action

2. Appoint cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges

3. Administers the federal bureaucracy

Front 13

The judicial branch is made up of _______________ __________________.

Back 13

Federal courts. Also included in this is the Supreme Court which is the highest court in the land.

Front 14

What does the Supreme Court exercise the power of?

Back 14

The power of judicial review.

Front 15

What types of cases do the federal courts hear and try?

Back 15

The federal courts try cases that involve federal law and questions involving interpretation of the Constitution of the United States.

Front 16

Limiting the exercise of power by each branch of government is called ____________________ and _____________________.

Back 16

Checks and balances

Front 17

How does the legislative branch check on the president?

Back 17

1. override presidential vetoes

2. Impeach and convict a president

Front 18

How does the legislative branch check on the courts?

Back 18

1. Confirm or refuse to confirm federal judges/justices

2. Impeach and convict judges/justices

Front 19

How does the executive branch check on Congress (legislative branch)?

Back 19

1. Propose legislation

2. Prepare and annual budget for Congress to approve

3. Call special sessions of Congress

4. Veto legislation Congress has passed

Front 20

How does the executive branch check on the courts?

Back 20

The president checks on the courts when he appoints judges/justices.

Front 21

How does the judicial branch check on Congress?

Back 21

When the judges/justices declare acts of Congress to be unconstitutional.

Front 22

How does the judicial branch check on the president?

Back 22

When the judges/justices declare executive actions to be unconstitutional.

Front 23

What is the first step in getting a bill passed in Congress?

Back 23

The bill is introduced by a Senator or a Representative

Front 24

What is the second step in getting a bill passed in Congress?

Back 24

The bill is sent to committees.

Front 25

After a bill is sent to committee, what happens to the bill next?

Back 25

The bill is debated on the floor of the house and then voted on in both houses.

Front 26

If the bill passes both houses, where does it go next?

Back 26

If both houses agree to the bill, it is sent to the President to be signed into law.

Front 27

Why would officials in Congress write a law?

Back 27

To respond to problems or issues.

Front 28

Who helps shape legislation?

Back 28

Individuals and interest groups

Front 29

What limits the formal powers of Congress?

Back 29

The Constitution of the United States

Front 30

How do citizens and students learn the importance of the legislative process?

Back 30

Through direct involvement and/or simulation

Front 31

What are 4 ways the executive branch influences policymaking?

Back 31

1. Propose legislation in an annual speech to Congress

2. Appeal directly to the people

3. Approve or veto legislation

4. Appoint officials who carry out laws

Front 32

Who interprets and executes the laws?

Back 32

Cabinet departments, agencies, and regulatory groups

Front 33

What is the president's role as chief of state?

Back 33

Ceremonial head of the government

Front 34

What is the president's role as chief executive?

Back 34

Head of the executive branch of government

Front 35

What is the president's role as chief legislator?

Back 35

Proposer of the legislative agenda

Front 36

What is the president's role as commander-in-chief?

Back 36

Head of the nation's armed forces

Front 37

What is the president's role as chief diplomat?

Back 37

Architect of American foreign policy

Front 38

What is the president's role as chief of party?

Back 38

Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch

Front 39

What is the president's role as chief citizen?

Back 39

Representative of all the people