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govt test 8
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Establishment Clause | Part of the 1st amendment, which prevents the government from setting up or favoring a particular religion |
Supreme Court | The highest court in the US. It mostly deals with issues and appeals that help define the meaning of the Constitution. Made up of 9 justices. Its decisions are final |
Veto | A president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress, which prevents it from becoming law, in most cases |
Committee | Step in the law-making process where most work gets done. This small group of senators or representatives can amend or table bills under consideration |
Popular Sovereignty | Key principle of the Constitution, which states that government gets its power from the consent (agreement) of the people |
Warrant | A document, issued by a judge, that allows authorities to search a house, seize evidence, or otherwise monitor a person suspected of a crime |
Federalism | Principle of the Constitution which creates a strong national government, while still allowing states the freedom to have their own governments and run their own affairs. |
District Courts | Lowest ranking federal courts. They are the first to hear a case involving violations of federal laws, or disputes between parties from different states. |
Commander in Chief | The President's role as leader of America's military forces. |
Bill | A proposed law |
Majority | One more than half |
Chief Executive | The job the President is doing when he carries out the laws, and acts as the "boss" of the various government departments and employees |
Appeals Court | Federal courts which exist only to hear cases where one part or the other's rights to a fair trial were violated. Can overturn earlier cases and order new trials |
Delegated Powers | Powers granted to the national government by the Constitution |
Bail | An amount of money an accused person can pay as a deposit, to guarantee they show up for their trial. Otherwise, they have to wait for their trial in jail. |
1st Amendment | Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition |
Reserved Powers | Powers set aside for the states |
Judicial Review | The power of the courts to declare an executive action or law to be unconstitutional |
Chief of State | A mostly ceremonial role filled by the President, where he acts as the representative of and living symbol for all Americans. |
Ex Post Facto Law | A law that would punish a person for something that was legal at the time |
5th Amendment | Protects the rights of those accused of a crime, including the rights to due process and to remain silent, and prevents "double jeopardy" |
Concurrent Powers | Powers that are shared by the national and state governments |
Marbury v. Madison | Supreme court case that established the power of judicial review |
Ambassador | a person, appointed by the President and approved by Congress, who serves as America's representative in a foreign country |
Census | The counting of the American population, which happens every ten years. Important for determining the number of representatives and electoral votes each state receives |
Cabinet | A group of people, picked by the President and approved by the Senate, who advise and assist the President in carrying out laws in their areas of expertise |
Requirements for Senators | 30 years old, 6 year term, citizen for 9 years |
6th Amendment | Protects the right to a fair trial, including the rights to a speedy trial with a fair jury, a lawyer, to call witnesses on your behalf, and question witnesses against you |
Amendment | A change or addition to the Constitution |
Separation of Powers | Principle of the Constitution which splits the three, basic government powers into three different branches of government |
8th Amendment | Protects against unreasonable bail and cruel or unusual punishment. |
Checks and Balances | Principle of the Constitution which seeks to prevent any one part of the government from abusing its power, by giving each branch of government some power and control over the other two |
Amendment process | Proposed with a 2/3 vote of both the House and Senate, and then approved by 3/4 of the states. |
Electoral College | Chosen by the people in a popular vote in each state, it is this group that elects the President; 270 of their votes are required to win |
Requirements for Representatives | 25 years old, 2 year term, citizen for 7 years |
Impeachment | A process, begun in the House of Representatives, that charges a president with a "high crime or misdemeanor." If convicted, it can lead to removal from office. |
Elastic Clause | Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18: Allows Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" for carrying out its duties. Allows Congress to make laws that fit the changing needs of our nation over time. |
Supremacy Clause | Article 6 of the Constitution establishes this, which declares |
Limited Power of Government | Principle of the Constitution which reinforces the idea of Rule of Law, and explicitly prohibits the government from engaging in certain actions |
Jury | A group of citizens asked to sit for and hear evidence for a particular trial; they decide the outcome of the case |
Due Process | Another name for all of the rights a citizen is owed, enabling them to receive a fair trial before any of their rights are taken away |
Legislative Branch | makes the laws |
Chief Justice | Leader of the Supreme Court. He or she decides who writes the court's official opinion after a case is decided. |
Chief Diplomat/ Foreign Policy maker | The President's role as our main representative in our dealings with other countries. |
Filibuster | An attempt to "talk" a bill to death in the Senate, as Senators are permitted to speak for an unlimited amount of time |
Petition | A formal request, asking the government to do something differently. |
Executive Branch | carries out the laws |
Federal Judges | Appointed by the President to any of the three levels of national courts. They serve for life, in order to protect them from political pressure, so they can focus on basis their decisions on the Constitution and laws. |
Treaty | An agreement with another country. Negotiated by the President and his advisors, it must also be approved by the Senate before it gains the force of law. |
The amount of votes needed to override a veto or approve of a treaty or presidential appointment | 2/3 (two-thirds) vote |
Judicial Branch | interprets the laws |