Checks on the judicial branch: foundational

How many votes are required to confirm a Supreme Court justice?

51

What does it mean for a legal decision to be reversed?

An appellate court rules that the lower court's decision was incorrect.

What does it mean for a Supreme Court nomination to be "Borked"?

The Senate brutally interrogates a Supreme Court nominee during a confirmation hearing.

What does it mean for a judge to "issue a verdict"?

They make a legal decision.

What's one thing that the legislative branch can do to place a check on the judicial branch?

change the Supreme Court's jurisdiction

What's one thing the president can do to place a check on the judicial branch?

evade or ignore a Supreme Court decision

How long is a Supreme Court justice in office for?

for as long as they act in good behavior

What is one way that states can place a check on the Supreme Court?

ignore or evade Supreme Court decisions

What's one thing that the legislative branch can do to place a check on the power of the judicial branch?

make laws that change the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling

Justice Weasley serves on the Supreme Court. In order to decide if a bill is constitutional, he tries to figure out what the writers of the Constitution meant to say. He knows that every line of the Constitution was written for a reason, and he believes that he must figure out why it was written to make his ruling. Which of the following best describes his way of reading the Constitution?

originalist interpretation

What is one check that state governments have on the judicial branch?

ratifying constitutional amendments

Justice Granger serves on the Supreme Court. She must decide if a congressional bill is Constitutional, so she studies its context, researches the historical meaning of the words in the Constitution, and considers how the clause fits into the structure of the Constitution as a whole. Which of the following best describes her way of deciding how to rule on this case?

textualist interpretation

Which of the following factors would an originalist most likely take into account when interpreting the Constitution?

the Framers' intent in writing those specific words

Which governmental body confirms Supreme Court justices?

the Senate

What is judicial activism?

the belief that justices should defend rights and liberties even if they're not explicitly stated in the Constitution

What is judicial restraint?

the belief that justices should stick to a strict interpretation of the Constitution

What is tenure?

the length of time that an official serves in their position

Which of the following would a textualist say is the most important factor for interpreting the Constitution?

the objective meaning of the terms in the document

Which governmental body is responsible for nominating a Supreme Court justice?

the president

What is the role of officials in the judicial branch?

to interpret laws