midterm part 3

Question 1

United States v. Morrison involved what university and had what outcome?

Answer 1

Virginia Tech – The Court struck down parts of the Violence Against Women Act, ruling that gender-based crimes were not interstate commerce

Question 2

The SCOTUS, in 1927, agreed that in Virginia, surgical sterilization could be used on persons deemed mentally defective for the welfare of society.

Answer 2

True – Buck v. Bell (1927).

Question 3

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) dealt with what Constitutional Amendment?

Answer 3

The Second Amendment – affirmed the individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense

Question 4

Devillier v. Texas (2024) solidified what right under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment?

Answer 4

The right of citizens to sue states directly for compensation when property is taken without just compensation

Question 5

The Dred Scott Decision of 1857 allowed free slaves to sue their former masters and the U.S. Government if they resided in a free state for more than 3 years.

Answer 5

False – The Court ruled enslaved people were not citizens and had no right to sue.

Question 6

The idea that all legitimate governments derive their power from their citizens is called ^_^

Answer 6

Popular sovereignty.

Question 7

From what right does the filibuster originate?

Answer 7

From the Senate’s right to unlimited debate under its own standing rules.

Question 8

What are two “power committees” found in both the House and Senate today?

Answer 8

Appropriations and Rules Committees (House); Appropriations and Finance (Senate).

Question 9

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

Answer 9

every 10 years

Question 10

Every ten years, after a census has been conducted, ^_^ must redraw congressional district boundaries so each district contains an equal number of residents.

Answer 10

state legislature

Question 11

Which one of the following is NOT a legal requirement the Supreme Court has laid out for congressional redistricting?

Answer 11

Districts cannot be drawn based solely on political party advantage (partisan gerrymandering not federally banned).

Question 12

The modern Speaker presides over the ^_^ and sets its agenda.

Answer 12

The House of Representatives.

Question 13

When a member of the House or Senate introduces a bill, that member is designated as the bill’s ^_^

Answer 13

Sponsor.

Question 14

Representatives who rely on their personal judgment are using the delegate model.

Answer 14

False – That is the trustee model. Delegate model = mirrors constituents’ views.

Question 15

Which judicial decision allowed state restrictions on abortion but did not actually overturn Roe v. Wade (1973)?

Answer 15

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) – upheld the right to abortion but allowed states to impose restrictions if they didn’t place an “undue burden” on women.