History #2 (other resources)
Why do members of the Westboro Baptist Church stage their protests at the funerals of American military personnel and why were they sued by the father of a dead Marine?
They believe the deaths are punishments for the support of homosexuality on Earth. For defamation of character and afflicting emotional distress on him and his family. Justices ruled in favor of the Baptists.
Why does Richard Beeman believe that a Bill of Rights was not included in the original Constitution?
It could have been redundant or they could have left out some rights. They also wanted to go home b/ this could have taken a couple more months. Many were scared there would be no liberty w/o the Bill.
What is a census? How often is one done? Why is it important to Congress?
-count every person living in the newly created United States of America, and to use that count to determine representation in the Congress, every 10 years -results of the census help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding, including grants and support to states, counties and communities are spent every year for the next decade -helps communities get its fair share for schools, hospitals, roads, and public works, count determines how many representatives each state will have in Congress for the next 10 years
Majority Leader
Charles E. Schumer, NY, D
Why was Eugene Debs sentenced to ten years in prison?
He spoke out against the draft
Who is the presiding officer of the House? What is his/her job?
House- Speaker of the House, presiding over and keeping order in the House. The Speaker, names the members of all select and conference committees, and signs all bills and resolutions passed by the House.
Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell, KY, R
President Pro Tempore
Partick Leahy, VT, D
Explain the legal concept of "Eminent Domain".
Refers to the power of the government to take private property and convert it into public use. The Fifth Amendment provides that the government may only exercise this power if they provide just compensation to the property owners. It allows the govt. to take our property as long as they pay for it or it is used for public use.
Who are the U.S. senators from Illinois? To which political party do they belong? How long have they been in office?
Richard J. Durbin- D- 1996-now Tammy Duckworth- D- 2016-now
Who elects a Vice-president if the Electoral College fails to decide?
Senate decides who the next Vice President will be if there is no absolute majority after the Electoral College vote
Who is the presiding officer of the Senate? What is his/her job?
Senate- Pres. of the Senate, The president of the Senate (1) has many of the same duties as the Speaker of the House, but (2) cannot cast votes on legislation.
How many senators are there? How many representatives?
Senators- 100 Reps.- 435
Who is Jessica Ahlquist and what is meant by the expression "a wall of separation" between church and state?
She is an atheist and was shocked to see a prayer on her high school wall. She was upset that her school was not following the law. She won the lawsuit. Religion should never be brought into the Constitution. It is a way to create space for religion in public life. The govt. cannot prevent people from worshipping as they see.
How is the principle of "checks and balances" an important part of the legislative process?
With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful. -the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them -The legislative branch has the power to make laws. It also has the power to run the following checks over the executive branch. The legislative branch also has the power to remove the president from office.
What are concurrent powers and why are they important?
powers shared by both the Senate and the fed. govt. -provide for the needs at each level of government in order to keep people safe, deter criminal activities, support the economy, and prevent and punish criminal behavior. -may be exercised simultaneously within the same territory and in relation to the same body of citizens. These concurrent powers including regulating elections, taxing, borrowing money and establishing courts.
Who has the power to approve presidential appointments to the federal courts?
senate
