10 congress - i've been meenan to tell...
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UNIT 4 MAIN IDEA PACKET: Government Institutions
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CHAPTERS 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 18
CHAPTER
CONGRESS
Chapter 10 Section 1: The National Legislature THE BIG IDEA: Congress, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives, is the National Government’s legislative branch.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Representation in Congress
State Population Senators House Members
California 33,871,648 2 53
Wyoming 493,782 2 1
*Information based on 2000 Census
Answer the following questions using the chart above.
Which State has more power in the House of Representatives?
Which State has more power in the Senate?
Do you think the states are being represented in Congress fairly?
Chapter 10 Section 2: The House of Representatives THE BIG IDEA: Members of the House, who serve an unlimited number of two-year terms, represent districts of roughly equal representation.
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GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Qualification for the Representatives
Qualifications Representatives
Age At least 25
Citizenship At least 7 years
Residency Must be from the State
Answer the following questions after reading Chapter 10 Section 2.
How many two- year terms may a representative serve?
How are seats in the House of Representatives apportioned?
When are the seats reapportioned? Why do they do this?
Why do politicians gerrymander districts?
Chapter 10 Section 3: The Senate THE BIG IDEA: Each State has two seats in the Senate, the smaller of the two houses of Congress.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Qualification for the Senators
Qualifications Senators
Age At least 30
Citizenship At least 9 years
Residency Must be from the State
Answer the following questions after reading Chapter 10 Section 3.
How long is a Senators term?
Why is the Senate called a continuous body?
How did the 17th Amendment change the way senators are chosen?
In order to expel a senator from the Senate, two thirds of the Senate must agree. Why do you think the Constitution sets such a high requirement?
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Chapter 10 Section 4: The Members of Congress THE BIG IDEA: Members of Congress, who receive generous pay and good benefits, fulfill various roles.
FINISH THIS CHART GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Lawmaker has four voting options:
OPTIONS DESCRIPTION
Trustees
Delegates See themselves as agents of those who elected them.
Partisans
Politicos Attempt to combine the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles.
Answer this question (using the chart you completed above & it must have a least 4 sentences)
Which voting option would you choose if you were a Senator? WHY?
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Duties of Members of Congress
Legislator Makes laws
Committee Member
-Screen Bills -Oversees the executive branch’s enforcement of laws
Constituent Representative
Represents/votes as “folks back home” want
Constituent Servant
Does favors for citizens
Politician Keeps in touch with party leaders and constituents back home
Answer the following questions using the chart above.
Which duty requires a member of congress to make bills?
What is different about being a constituent representative and a constituent servant?
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CHAPTER
POWERS OF CONGRESS
Chapter 11 Section 1: The Scope of Congressional Powers THE BIG IDEA: The Constitution gives Congress certain powers, but liberal interpretation have given Congress great scope.
FINISH THIS CHART GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Constitution Grants Congress Power in Different Ways
TYPE OF POWER DESCRIPTION
Expressed Powers Explicitly, in its specific wording.
Implied Powers
Inherent Powers
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Strict Constructionists v. Liberal Constructionists
Answer this question (using the graph above):
Which side of the constructionists’ argument (STRICT V. LIBERAL) do you think most agree with? WHY?
• Main Goal: Federal Government with very limited powers.
STRICT Congressional Powers should be limited to
expressed powers and implied powers needed
to carry out duties.
• Main Goal: Federal Government with strong powers.
LIBERAL Congressional powers
should be interpreted in a broad manner.
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Most Americans came to favor a liberal construction of the Constitution.
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Chapter 11 Section 2: The Expressed Powers of Money and Commerce THE BIG IDEA: Many expressed powers of Congress have to do with money and commerce or business.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Congress’s Expressed Powers of Money and Commerce
MONEY COMMERCE
Tax (90% of gov revenue)
Spend
Coin Money
Borrow Money
Set Bankruptcy Laws
Regulate Interstate Commerce
Regulate International Trade
Answer this question:
Do you think it would be a good thing for each state to create its own currency? Why?
Chapter 11 Section 3: Other Expressed Powers THE BIG IDEA: Congress has a number of major expressed powers that are not related to money and commerce.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Expressed Powers of Congress
EXPRESSED POWERS
(Excluding Money & Commerce)
Declare war
Raise and support an army and a
navy
Make naturalization
laws
Establish a postal system
Set up federal courts
Protect the works of writers
and inventors (copyrights and
patents)
Fix weights and measures
Acquire, manage, and sell federal
lands
Answer the questions using the Graph on the left.
What is the purpose of copyrights and patents?
What power of Congress ensures that a gallon measure is the same in each State?
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Chapter 11 Section 4: The Implied Powers
THE BIG IDEA: The Necessary and Proper Clause led to massive expansion on Congress’s power.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Implied Powers of Congress
EXPRESSED POWER IMPLIES THE POWER
Answer the following questions using the chart above and after reading Ch 11 section 4.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
What does doctrine mean?
From what power is the implied power to limit immigration drawn?
Answer this question after reading Chapter 11 Section 4:
Why is the Necessary and Proper Clause often called the “Elastic Clause”?
• to create tax laws and punish evaders
• to use tax revenues to fund welfare, public schools, health and housing programs
• to require States to meet certain conditions to qualify for federal funding to lay and collect taxes
•to establish the Federal Reserve System of banks
to borrow money
•to regulate and limit immigration
to establish naturalization law
•to draft Americans into the military
to raise armies and a navy
• to establish a minimum wage
• to ban discrimination in workplaces and public facilities
• to pass laws protecting the disabled
• to regulate banking
to regulate commerce
•to prohibit mail fraud and obstruction of the mails
•to bar the shipping of certain items through mails to establish post offices
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Chapter 11 Section 5: The Non-legislative Powers THE BIG IDEA: Congress has a number 0f non-legislative power, including electoral, executive, and investigative powers.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Non-legislative Powers of Congress
Answer the following questions using the chart above.
What are the electoral powers of Congress?
Which power relates to Congress approving presidential appointments?
What is the Senate’s role in the impeachment power of Congress?
CONGRESS'S POWERS
Investigative
• Look into anything that falls within its scope
Amendments
• Propose amendments
•Call convention to propose amendments
Electoral
• Elect a President (House) and Vice President (Senate) if no winner in election
Impeachment
•Bring charges against federal officials (House)
• Try impeachment cases (Sentate)
Executive
•Give "advice and consent"
•Approve presidential appointments
•Approve treaties
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CHAPTER
CONGRESS IN ACTION
Chapter 12 Section 1: Congressional Organizers THE BIG IDEA: Congress carefully organizes itself to get its complex job done.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Leadership in Congress
HOUSE SENATE
Presiding officer and party leader
Party officers
Presiding officers
Party officers
Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 1.
What is title of the person presiding over the House of Representatives?
Who runs the Senate if the Vice President is not there?
What are the duties of the Floor leaders?
What is the purpose of the party caucus?
Why do some people criticize the use of seniority rule in Congress?
SIDE NOTE: The House has to reorganize every term because new members taking their seats. Technically, it is possible to start every term in the House with all new members. The Senate only elects 1/3 of their members every term. So they do not need to reorganize how they conduct business. (Plus there is only 100 of them)
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Speaker of the House
Majority Floor Leader
Minority Floor leader
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
President of the Senate
President Pro Tempore
Majority Floor Leader
Minority Floor leader
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
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Chapter 12 Section 2: Committees in Congress THE BIG IDEA: The Senate and the House both divide into committees to manage their business and decide which bills will receive attention.
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING GRAPH: GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Committees of Congress
Standing Committees
Length Permanent
What does it do?
Specializes in one subject (Handles all bills related to that subject)
Examples
Select Committees
Length
What does it do?
Examples
-Select Committee on Aging (both houses) -Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities -House Committee on Agriculture
Joint Committees
Length Permanent or Temporary
What does it do?
Includes members of both houses (so the houses do not duplicate work)
Examples
Conference Committees
Length
What does it do?
Works out a compromise bill when the House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill.
TYPES OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
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Chapter 12 Section 3: How a Bill Becomes a Law: The House THE BIG IDEA: A bill must move through reviews and committee hearings before it reaches the House floor; if passed it moves to the Senate.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Types of Bills and Resolutions
Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 3.
What is main difference between a joint resolution and a concurrent resolution?
Which type of bill applies to certain people or places?
In regarding to bills in Congress, what is a rider?
How many measures are introduced in the House and Senate during a term of Congress?
The Constitution states that bill for raising revenue must start in which house?
FUN FACT: The Readings of bills in Congress are a formality. Sometimes they don’t even read the entire bill. Back in the day they read the whole bill because some congressman couldn’t read. WHAT????????????????? Different times.
•a proposed Law
•a public bill applies to the entire nation
•a private bill applies only to certain people or places
Bill
•a proposal for some action that has the force of law when pass
•usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters
Joint Resolution
•a statement of position on an issue
•adopted by the House and Senate acting jointly
•does not have the force of law
•does not require the President's signature
Concurrent Resolution
•a measure dealing with some matter in one house
•does not have the force of law
•does not require the President's signature Resolution
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GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Possible Committee Actions on a Bill
Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 3.
Why does the House often use a Committee of the Whole to consider important measures?
What happens to a bill if it is rejected in committee?
What is the purpose of a discharge petition?
WRITE A PARAGRAPH (At least 4 sentences) Answer this question after looking at chart above reading Chapter 12 Section 3:
Do you think that committees in Congress are very powerful?
Ways a Committee May Treat
a Bill
Recommend that the bill be
passed
Report an amended bill,
with suggested changes
Vote to reject the bill
Substitute an entirely new
bill
Pigeonhole, or ignore, a bill
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Chapter 12 Section 4: The Bill in the Senate THE BIG IDEA: Although the law-making process in the Senate is much like that in the House, debate in the Senate is largely unrestricted.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Answer the following questions from the Chart and Chapter 12 Section 4.
How many times does bill go through floor action?
Where does a bill go to resolve its differences between the two houses of Congress?
Explain how a filibuster is designed to work?
What is cloture, and why is it hard to achieve?
What is the effect of a President’s veto, and how can Congress respond?
Introduction of bill to House or Senate
Committee action
Floor action
Approved bill goes to the other house
Committee action
Floor action
To Conference Committee to
resolve differences
Both Houses of Congress Vote
Again
Approved bill goes to the President
If the President signs the bill it becomes law
If the President vetos the bill it can still become law if
2/3 of Congress votes to override the President
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CHAPTER
THE PRESIDENCY
Chapter 13 Section 1: The President’s Job Description THE BIG IDEA: The President of the United States must perform eight different roles at the same time.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Roles of the President
Answer the following questions from the charts above.
Which presidential roles are not expressed in the Constitution?
In which role is the President involved with the legislative branch?
What does the president do as Chief of State?
Established by Constitution
Chief of State
•Ceremonial head of government
Chief Executive
•head of the executive branch
Chief Administrator
•manages the Federal Government
Chief Diplomat
•sets the nation's foreign policy
Commander in Chief
•direcly controls all U.S. military forces
Chief Legislator
•attemps to determine Congress's agenda & signs bills into law
Not Established by Constitution
Chief of Party
•unofficial head of his/her political party
Chief Citizen
•expected to work for and to represent the public interest
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FINISH THE CHARTS BELOW after reading Chapter 13 Section 1. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Qualification for the President
Formal Qualifications for President
Age
Citizenship Born in U.S.
U.S. Residency Must live in U.S. past 14 years.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Term & Compensation for the President
Terms & Compensation
Maximum term length (22nd amendment)
Annual Salary
Annual expenses $50,000
Other job perks
Living in White House (132 room mansion on 18.3-acre estate)
Sizable office suite of offices with large staff
Fleet of automobiles
Air Force One, planes & helicopters
Camp David (resort hideaway)
Best health care available
Generous travel and entertainment funds
And more stuff too
Chapter 13 Section 2: Presidential Succession and the Vice Presidency THE BIG IDEA: If the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the Vice President succeeds to the presidency.
FUN FACT: The 25th Amendment is instructs us who will be president if he dies in office. Just in case there is some sort of mass assassinations we are all good. We have 18 people ready to president it up.
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GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Presidential Succession
Answer the following questions from chapter 13 Section 2.
What is presidential disability? How is it decided?
What official duties does the Constitution assign to the Vice President?
FUN FACT: The President cannot fire the Vice President. No matter how much he or she may hate them.
Chapter 13 Section 3: Presidential Selection: The Framer’s Plan THE BIG IDEA: The Framers set up an electoral college to choose the President and Vice President, but the system changed quickly.
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Veteran Affairs
Secretary of Homeland Security
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FUN FACT: Our country was set up with most votes becoming President and second amount of votes becoming Vice President. Political Parties messed it up. The 12
th amendment changed this. Today people vote for a pair to be the country’s President and Vice
President.
Answer the following questions from chapter 13 Section 3.
Why were most of Framers opposed to choosing the President by popular vote?
Outline the original provisions for the electoral college.
In what 3 ways did the presidential election process changes as a result of the election of 1800?
What did the 12th amendment do?
Chapter 13 Section 4: Presidential Nominations THE BIG IDEA: Every four years, political parties officially select their presidential candidates at national conventions, following State primaries and party caucuses.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Selecting a Candidate for President
January Through June July & August
February Through June
Answer the following questions from chapter 13 Section 4.
At what four events may parties choose delegates to the national conventions?
At national conventions, each party adopts a platform. What is a platform?
Local Caucuses
District Conventions
State Conventions
Presidential Primaries
National Conventions
CAMPAIGN
Conventions have been used since 1932.
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Chapter 13 Section 5: The Election THE BIG IDEA: On election day, voters choose the next president, but the election is not official until the members of the electoral college cast their ballots.
FINISH THE CHART BELOW after reading Chapter 13 Section 5. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Flaws in the Electoral College
Three Major Defects in Electoral College
1st Defect
2nd Defect Electors are not required to vote in accord with the popular vote.
3rd Defect
FINISH THE CHART BELOW after reading Chapter 13 Section 5. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Proposed Reforms to the Electoral College
Alternative Plan
Summary of Plan
The District
Plan
Electors would represent congressional districts and support the popular vote winner in the election.
The Proportional
Plan
Each candidate would receive the same share of the State’s electoral vote as he she received of its popular vote.
Direct Popular Election
The voters would directly elect the President.
The National Bonus Plan
Would add to the current system by giving “bonus” electoral votes to the popular vote winner.
Answer this question after based on the charts above. (4 sentences minimum)
Let’s say you had to pick one alternative plan to reform the Electoral College. Which plan would you choose? Why?
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CHAPTER
THE PRESIDENCY IN ACTION
Chapter 14 Section 1: The Growth of Presidential Power THE BIG IDEA: The Constitution established the office of President, but debate about the extent of the office’s powers has continued throughout the nation’s history.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Growth of Presidential Power
Answer this question based on the chart above. (3 or 4 sentences required)
How have the American people encouraged the growth of presidential power?
The President stands as the single strong leader of the
executive branch.
Americans have looked to the President for leadership on
complex issues.
As commander in chief, the President has been asked to take decisive action in times
of national emergency.
Congress has granted the executive branch the
authority to carry out many of its laws and has thus
strengthened the presidency.
The President has used the mass media to capture public
attention.
EXPANDED PRESIDENTIAL
POWER
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Chapter 14 Section 2: The President’s Executive Power THE BIG IDEA: The President has great power to give orders, to decide how laws are carried out, and to appoint federal officials.
Complete the Graph by describing what the president actually does after reading Chapter 14 Section 2. GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Major Executive Powers
Answer the following questions from chapter 14 Section 2.
What is an executive order, and in what ways does it give the President great power?
What is the ordinance power, and where does the President get this power?
What officials does the President appoint?
What is the Senate’s role in the appointment process?
Should the President have the sole power to remove all officials he/she appoints?
The President has power to...
Executing the Law
The Ordiance Power
The Appointment Power
The Removal Power
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Chapter 14 Section 3: Diplomats and Military Powers THE BIG IDEA: While the President shares various diplomatic and military powers with Congress, in some areas his or her power is unlimited.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Major Diplomatic and Military Powers of the President
Answer the following questions from chapter 14 Section 3.
What is a treaty?
What is the Senate’s role in treaties?
What is an executive agreement?
What is the presidential power of recognition referring to?
The War Powers Resolution limits the President’s commander in chief powers. List the resolution’s three central provisions:
MAJOR DIPLOMATIC
AND MILITARY POWERS OF THE
PRESIDENT
May make treaties with
other nations, with senatorial
approval
May make executive
agreements with the heads of other nations
May extend and withdraw
recognition of other countries
May send U.S. troops into
combat without congressional
authorization for 60 days
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Chapter 14 Section 4: Legislative and Judicial Powers THE BIG IDEA: As part of the system of checks and balances, the Constitution gives the President important legislative and judicial powers.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The President’s Major Legislative and Judicial Powers
Answer the following questions from chapter 14 Section 4.
What is a pardon?
What does commute a sentence mean?
What is amnesty?
Clemency refers to the President’s jurisdiction. What is clemency?
Answer this question based on this section. (4 sentences minimum)
Do you think the President should have all these judicial powers?
LEGISLATIVE POWERS JUDICIAL POWERS
May recommend legislation
May veto legislation with a regular veto or with a pocket veto
May allow a bill to become a law either with or without a signature
May grant a reprieve on a sentence
May grant a pardon for a crime
May commute the length of a sentence or the amount of a fine
May grant amnesty to a group of law violators
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CHAPTER
GOVERNMENT AT WORK: THE BUREAUCRACY
Chapter 15 Section 1: The Federal Bureaucracy THE BIG IDEA: The Federal Bureaucracy, part of the executive branch, carries out most of the day-to-day work of the federal government.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Federal Bureaucracy
Answer the following questions from chapter 15 Section 1.
What is a bureaucracy?
List things that Federal employees do.
What are the three defining features of a bureaucracy in your own words?
Why does a government need an administration?
What is the difference between a staff agency and a line agency?
President
Executive Office of the
President
Cabinet Departments
•Agency/Administration: Single administrator; Near-Cabinet status
•Authority/Corporation: Regulates business activities; investiagates or advises
•Commission: Board and manager; business-like activities
Independent Agencies
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Chapter 15 Section 2: The Executive Office of the President (EOP) THE BIG IDEA: The Executive Office of the President includes both advisors and agencies that work closely with the President.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Executive Office of the President (These are only some of the offices)
Executive Office of the President Office What does it do?
The White House Office
National Security Council
Advises president in all domestic, foreign, and military matters that relate to the nation’s security
President chairs, also has vice president, the secretary of defense, the secretary of state, the CIA director, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
National security advisor (president assistant of national security affairs) directs a small staff of foreign and military policy experts
Office Management and Budget
headed by director confirmed by senate
Prepares the federal budget
Monitors the spending of the funds Congress appropriates (oversees the execution of the budget)
Studies the organization and management of the executive branch
Checks and clears agencies stands on all legislative to make sure they meet the president’s policy positions
Help President prepare executive orders and veto messages
Council of Economic Advisers
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
Answer the following questions from chapter 15 Section 2.
Outline the preparation of the federal budget.
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Chapter 15 Section 3: The Executive Departments THE BIG IDEA: Fifteen executive departments, each headed by a cabinet member, carry out most of the Federal Government’s work.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Executive Departments
Answer the following questions from chapter 15 Section 3.
How many departments are there?
What is the role of the secretary of an executive branch?
Which department do you think is the most important?
Which department do you think is the least important?
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS
Department of Transportation
Department of Energy
Department of Education
Department of State
Department of Veterans
Affairs
Department of the
Treasury
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland
Secuirty
Department of Justice
Department of the
Interior
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Labor
Department of Health and
Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban
Development
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Chapter 15 Section 4: Independent Agencies THE BIG IDEA: A number of independent agencies work outside the framework of the executive branch.
FINISH THIS CHART: (Chapter 15 Section 4) GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Three Types of Independent Agencies
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
TYPE OF AGENCY FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES
Independent Executive Agencies
Function much like Cabinet departments
They don’t have cabinet status
Independent Regulatory
Commissions
Federal Reserve System
Federal Communications Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Government Corporations
Carry out business-like activates
Answer this question based on this section. (4 sentences minimum)
List the 3 reasons why independent agencies operate outside the executive departments. Do you think agree with these reasons?
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Chapter 15 Section 5: The Civil Service THE BIG IDEA: Most of the people who work for the Federal Government are members of the civil service and are hired and promoted based on their job performance.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Reform of the Civil Service
Answer this question based on this section. (4 sentences minimum)
Do you like the reforms made regarding the Civil Service?
FUN FACT: 1881 President James Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office seeker. Congress soon passed the Civil Service Act of 1883 (or Pendleton Act) which laid the foundation for the present civil service system.
Before Civil Service Legislation
• Government officials give jobs and favors to friends and supporters
• Created an inefficient and corrupt system of government
After Civil Service Legislation
• Government workers are hired based on examination.
• Promotions are given on merit.
• The competitive nature of this sytem allows for higher quality of work.
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CHAPTER
THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
Chapter 18 Section 1: The National Judiciary THE BIG IDEA: The Constitution outlines the structure of the federal judiciary, the jurisdiction of the courts, and the functions of federal judges.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: Type of Court Jurisdiction
Answer the following questions from chapter 18 Section 1.
What is the difference between a constitutional court and a special court (legislative court)? (pg 507)
What is jurisdiction?
Give an example of a case that would fall under exclusive jurisdiction.
What is appellate jurisdiction?
What type of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have?
Who nominates federal judges?
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State
Jurisdiction Concurrent Jurisdiction
Federal Jurisdiction
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Chapter 18 Section 2: The Inferior Courts THE BIG IDEA: Most federal cases are tried in the inferior courts- those under the Supreme Court.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: How Federal Cases are Appealed (Simple Version)
Answer the following questions from chapter 18 Section 2.
Give three examples of different types of criminal cases.
Give three examples of different types of civil cases.
What is a docket?
Why did Congress create the courts of appeals? (pg. 513)
Look at the map on page 513. What circuit is Nevada located in?
Look at the map on page 513. How many districts are in Nevada?
FUN FACT: There are 94 U.S. District Courts. They handle more than 300,000 cases a year which is 80% of the federal caseload. (80% of federal cases are handled by these inferior courts, they don’t sound inferior. Am I right?)
U.S. SUPREME COURT
12 U.S. Courts fo Appeals
94 District Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of International
Trade
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Chapter 18 Section 3: The Supreme Court THE BIG IDEA: The Supreme Court stands as the final authority on all issues pertaining to federal law.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: How Cases Travel Through the Supreme Court
Answer the following questions from chapter 18 Section 3.
How does a case that reaches the Supreme Court by certificate do so?
How does a writ of certiorari differ from a certificate?
What is precedent?
How many court cases does the Supreme Court decide per year (about)?
What is the difference between a concurring opinion and a dissenting opinion?
HOW A CASE REACHES THE
SUPREME COURT
•by writ of certiorari: The Supreme Court orders a lower court to send it a case's record.
•by certificate: A lower court asks the Supreme Court to certify a matter's answer.
•by orgination: If a State or a diplomat is involved.
HOW THE SUPREME COURT RULES ON
THE CASE
•Both sides send in breifs.
•Both sides present oral arguments.
• Justices vote and write a majority opinion.
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Chapter 18 Section 4: The Special Courts THE BIG IDEA: The special courts handle cases that are outside the mainstream judicial system.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY: The Special Courts
Answer the following questions from the chart and chapter 18 Section 4.
Who created the Special Courts (or legislative courts)?
Which special court would hear an appeal from a court-martial?
Read Military Commission section that starts on page 525. (Write 3 sentences minimum)
Do you agree with the creation and use of military commissions?
Court of Federal Claims
Suits against the United States
Territorial Court Cases in U.S. territories
District of Columbia Court
Cases in the District of Columbia
Court of Appeals for the Armed forces
Appeals from court-martial
Court-martial Violations of military law
Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims Veteran's benefits
Tax Court Civil cases involving tax law
Legislative Court Jurisdiction