Which of the following is an example of a non-legislative function of Congress?
(1 point)
Responses
approval of presidential treaties and appointments
approval of presidential treaties and appointments
circulating a discharge petition in the House
circulating a discharge petition in the House
introducing a bill by placing it in the hopper
introducing a bill by placing it in the hopper
using cloture to force the end of a debate
circulating a discharge petition in the House
How long is the term served by members of the U.S. Senate?
(1 point)
Responses
2 years
2 years
4 years
4 years
6 years
6 years
8 years
6 years
Although Congress is the most powerful branch of government, there are several limits placed on its power. Discuss at least three of the limits on the power of Congress and explain how each one limits the power of Congress. Tell which one you think is most important and explain why.
1. Separation of Powers: The Constitution divides the powers of the federal government among three branches - legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation of powers limits Congress' power by ensuring that no one branch becomes too powerful. For example, Congress cannot interfere with executive decisions or the rulings of the judicial branch.
2. Checks and Balances: The system of checks and balances allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches. Congress can check the power of the executive branch through its ability to override a presidential veto or confirm or reject presidential appointments. The judicial branch can also review and potentially overturn laws passed by Congress.
3. Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights outlines certain rights and protections guaranteed to all citizens, which Congress cannot infringe upon. For example, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, press, and religion, which limits Congress' ability to pass laws restricting these freedoms.
The most important limit on the power of Congress is the separation of powers. This is crucial in preventing one branch from becoming too powerful and potentially abusing its authority, thereby ensuring a system of checks and balances that helps maintain the balance of power in the government. Without the separation of powers, Congress could potentially overreach its authority and threaten the principles of democracy and rule of law.
make it smaller and into a paragraph
Three key limits on the power of Congress include the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights. The separation of powers prevents Congress from becoming too powerful by dividing government responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Checks and balances ensure that each branch can limit the powers of the others, with Congress able to check the executive branch and the judiciary being able to review and overturn laws passed by Congress. Additionally, the Bill of Rights guarantees certain rights and protections for citizens, such as freedom of speech and religion, which Congress cannot infringe upon. Of these limits, the separation of powers plays the most crucial role in preventing any one branch from dominating the others and preserving the democratic system of government.
Explain the purpose and function of the Electoral College. How are its members chosen? How does the Electoral College reflect the will of the people?
The purpose of the Electoral College is to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. It functions as an intermediary body between the citizens' vote and the final selection of the President. Each state is assigned a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress (the total number of Senators and Representatives). These electors are chosen by the states and are typically selected by the political parties in each state. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote within the state receives all of that state's electoral votes.
The Electoral College reflects the will of the people by incorporating the popular vote into the selection process. The majority of states have a "winner-takes-all" system, where the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state receives all of the state's electoral votes. This means that the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide and wins the popular vote in key states is likely to win the majority of electoral votes and thus secure the presidency. However, in some cases, the Electoral College outcome may not align with the popular vote, leading to debates about the legitimacy and fairness of the system.