Enduring Plan of Government Study Guide Test 1

How does the legislative branch do it's job?

Bill introduced, committee action, floor action, conference committee, and president

Describe the five main steps for a bill to become a federal law

Bill is introduced, committee approves bill, floor action, conference committee, president approves or vetoes bill

How does the judicial branch check the legislative branch?

Can declare laws unconstitutional

How does the judicial branch check the executive branch?

Can declare treaties and executive acts unconstitutional

What are the legislative constitutional powers?

Coin and regulate money, collect taxes, maintain an army and navy, declare war, regulate foreign trade

What constitutional powers do the executive branch have?

Enforcing laws, proposes legislation, head of military, oversees foreign relations, appoints supreme court justices

How does the judicial branch do its job?

Federal cases are heard by the lowest courts, case works it's way up to Supreme courts

How is the legislative branch organized?

House of Representatives and Senate

How does the legislative branch check the judicial branch?

Impeaches federal judges, approves or rejects federal nomination of judges

What is the primary activity of the judicial branch?

Interprets laws, decides what laws mean, sees if the laws are being followed

What is the primary activity of the executive branch?

It enforces laws

What is the primary activity of the legislative branch?

It makes laws

Why are there three branches of government?

It sets up a strong government but distributes the power; no branch can become too powerful

What constitutional powers are given to the judicial branch?

Judicial review, declares treaties, checks and balances, gives Congress authority to set up lower federal courts, hears cases and trials

How does the executive branch check the judicial branch?

Nominates supreme court justices, nominates federal judges

How does the legislative branch check the executive branch?

Overrides the president's vetoes, trys/impeaches the president

How is the executive branch organized?

President, vice president, departments/agencies, cabinet members

How does the executive branch do its job?

The cabinet and executive officials help the president make decisions

U.S. Constitution

The document that creates our nation's government

How does the executive branch check the legislative branch?

Vetoes or approves bills, calls special sessions of Congress

How is the judicial branch organized?

composed of lower courts and the Supreme Court of the US