midterm part 1

Question 1

From what right does the filibuster originate and what congressional chamber can do this?

Answer 1

The filibuster originates from the Senate’s right to unlimited debate under its own rules. It allows senators to delay or block legislation unless 60 votes (cloture) end debate.

Question 2

How is the Speaker of the House of Representatives chosen according to the Constitution?

Answer 2

The Speaker is chosen by the members of the House at the beginning of each new Congress, typically from the majority party.

Question 3

The purpose of Gerrymandering is to ^_^ to maximize the prospects of a particular party.

Answer 3

Manipulate district boundaries to favor one political party or group.

Question 4

According to Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution, a census of the U.S. population is to be conducted every ^_^ years.

Answer 4

every 10 years

Question 5

The number of representatives in the House of Representatives is capped at:

Answer 5

435 members

Question 6

What is bureaucracy?

Answer 6

A complex, hierarchical organization that uses division of labor and formal rules to manage government functions.

Question 7

The order of Presidential succession follows what order? (5 Degrees)

Answer 7

1️⃣ Vice President → 2️⃣ Speaker of the House → 3️⃣ President pro tempore of the Senate → 4️⃣ Secretary of State → 5️⃣ Secretary of the Treasury.

Question 8

In which constitutional article is the “executive power” established?

Answer 8

Article II.

Question 9

What is impeachment?

Answer 9

The constitutional process by which Congress removes a president or other officials for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The House impeaches; the Senate holds the trial.

Question 10

The constitutional role of Commander in Chief is understood to mean ^

Answer 10

The President commands the U.S. armed forces, though only Congress can declare war and fund the military.

Question 11

In Federalist #78, Alexander Hamilton described the judicial branch of the federal government as the ^

Answer 11

The “least dangerous branch”—it has judgment but not force or will, relying on the other branches to enforce rulings

Question 12

A writ of certiorari is issued only after ^_^ Supreme Court justices vote to do so.

Answer 12

After four of nine justices vote to hear the case (Rule of Four).

Question 13

Judicial review is the power of federal courts to ^_^

Answer 13

Declare laws or government actions unconstitutional. Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Question 14

The common law tradition of England involved the ^—^ over time.

Answer 14

The accumulation of judicial precedents (judge-made law) slowly and progresively

Question 15

Which one of the following statements is true regarding American courts?

Answer 15

American courts operate under an adversarial system, where opposing sides present evidence before a neutral judge or jury.