United States Constitution

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How many members of the House of Representatives does Illinois have?: 20
What are the qualifications to become a member of the House of Representatives?: at least 25 years old
live in the state representing
citizen for at least 7 years
Why did several states refuse to ratify (approve) the Constitution?: wanted a list of rights protecting their liberties added
How is it determined how many electoral college votes a state receives?: based on members in the House and Senate
What is the ex post facto law?: a law that makes something a crime after it is committed
What are the qualifications for a U.S. Senator?: at least 30 years old
live in the state representing
citizen for at least 9 years
In what city did the Constitutional Convention meet?: Philadelphia
Which amendment abolished slavery?: Amendment 13
Which amendment allows citizens the right to criticize the federal government?: Amendment 1
What is the term for a United States Senator?: 6 years
In which article would you find the supremacy of the Constitution?: Article 6
What was the name of the war in which the colonies won their independence from England?: Revolutionary War
How many branches is the United States government divided into?: 3 Branches
How many terms is the President limited to?: 2 Terms
This is an example of a correct check and balance.: President makes a treaty and 2/3's of the Senate ratifies it
What is the name of the oldest document in English history?: Magna Carta
Who is the presiding officer in the House of Representatives?: Speaker of the House
How many members in the House of Representatives?: 435
Which house in Congress is responsible for bringing up the charges of impeachment?: House of Representatives
Who is the President of the Senate?: Vice President
Give examples of a federal court.: Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
District Court
Who originally chose senators?: State Legislatures
In which branch would you find Congress?: Legislative Branch
How often is a census taken?: Every 10 years
How does the Judicial Branch check the Executive and Legislative Branches?: by declaring laws unconstitutional
At what age can one vote?: 18
What is the name of the plan of government proposed during the Constitutional Convention which called for a bicameral Congress based on population?: The Virginia Plan
In which branch would you find the Supreme Court?: Judicial Branch
Which amendment states that the President's term of office begins on January 20?: Amendment 20
Who presides over a trial if a President is impeached?: Chief Justice
What is the elastic clause?: allows Congress to make laws that are necessary in carrying out its expressed powers
What occurs when no candidate for the presidency and vice-presidency receives a majority of electoral votes?: Each state receives one vote
What is the salary of the President?: $400,000
What is the most common method to propose and ratify amendments to the Constitution?: 2/3's of Congress proposes it, 3/4's of the State Legislatures ratify it
What do the stripes of the flag represent?: the states
When was the United States Constitution written?: 1787
What is the term for a member of the House of Representatives?: 2 years
Who is the current Speaker of the House?: Dennis Hastert
Who finally settles questions about interpreting the Constitution?: Supreme Court
Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention?: George Washington
What is The Great Compromise?: the decision to have 2 houses of Congress, with 1 house's representation based on population and the other's based on equal representation for each state
Total number of electoral college votes in the Electoral College: 538
Name the 2 U.S. Senators from Illinois: Peter Fitzgerald
Dick Durbin
What is the only amendment to be repealed?: Amendment 18
After a bill has been sent to the President, it becomes a law if Congress is still in session and he does not send it back within how many days?: 10 days
What is the idea that the powers of government should be divided between and given to different branches?: separation of powers
What does the Preamble state?: Purpose of the Constitution
How many states had to approve the Constitution in order for it to go into effect?: 9
Who is the U.S. Representative from the 18th Congressional District of Illinois?: Ray LaHood
Which department in the cabinet deals with foreign affairs?: Secretary of State
What is the term for the President?: 4 years
Give the line of succession to the Presidency.: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State
Where do revenue bills originate?: House of Representatives
What is included in the Bill of Rights?: the first ten amendments
Who is the presiding officer of the Senate?: Dick Cheney
What is the plan of government used before the Constitution went into effect?: Articles of Confederation
How many representatives is every state guaranteed?: At least 1
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?: Thomas Jefferson
Who has the power to declar war?: Congress
What is the term for Chief Justice?: life
Who is the President of the United States?: George W. Bush
What was the main purpose of the Constitutional Convention?: revise the Articles of Confederation
Who appoints justices to the Supreme Court?: President
In which branch is the President found?: Executive Branch
Which amendment established Presidential succession?: Amendment 25
What is the name of the group advisors to the President?: Cabinet
How many amendments have there been to the United States Constitution?: 27
What are the qualifications to become President?: at least 35 years old
natural born citizen
U.S. citizen for at least 14 years
What are the powers of Congress?: power to raise and collect taxes
power to coin money
power to declare war
What must occur in Congress for a bill to pass?: majority vote in both houses
How many Supreme Court Justices must agree in handing down a decision?: 6
How can Congress override the President's veto?: a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress

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Number of cards 72