The U.S. Constitution

Article VI of the Constitution contains the Supremacy Clause which basically says that...

• No law can violate the Constitution and federal laws are superior to state laws

• States can choose to not follow the Constitution

• That laws only apply to ordinary citizens and not leaders elected to office

• If there is a conflict between a state and federal law, the state law will be supreme

The Preamble to the Constitution...

• describes how our government is set up

• lists individual rights and freedoms

• states the purpose and goals of our government

• tells how to amend or change the Constitution

"We the People" reflects the idea of popular sovereignty which means

• the power of government comes from the people or citizens

• the power of government is determined by the states

• Congress has all of the power of our government

• laws only apply to citizens but not government leaders

Article I of the Constitution outlines

• the process for electing the president and vice president

• how to interpret and apply the laws

• the relationship between the federal government and the states

• the role and powers of Congress or the Legislative Branch

Article II says that the Executive Branch of our government is led by

• Congress

• the President

• the Supreme Court

• senators

Enforcing laws and keeping order in the country is important because

• it helps to provide for the common defense

• it helps to insure domestic tranquility

• it helps to form a more perfect union

• it helps secure the blessings of liberty

The implied powers that Congress has but are not listed in the Constitution come from

• the Supremacy Clause

• in articles 1-3 of the Constitution

• in the Preamble of the Constitution

• the Necessary and Proper Clause

Step 1 of amending the Constitution requires that

• the President propose an amendment

• 2/3 of both houses of Congress propose an amendment

• the full Senate propose an amendment

• all 50 states propose an amendment

An amendment must be ratified by

• both the president and vice president

• 3/4 of the 50 states

• all of the justices of the Supreme Court

• all 50 states

When it comes to interpreting laws and settling disputes, that job belongs to

• Congress

• the U.S. President

• the U.S. Supreme Court or Judicial Branch

• the states