Structure and Function of Government

Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines legislative power?

• First Amendment

• Bill of Rights

• Preamble

• Article I

The passage below is from a speech by President George W. Bush, March 19, 2003.

"On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign."

Source: Office of the White House Press Secretary Archives

What constitutional power justifies the actions described in the passage?

• commander-in-chief

• negotiator-in-chief

• chief legislator

• chief regulator

The following passage is from McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).

"If … such be the mandate of the Constitution, we have only to obey; but that instrument does not profess to enumerate the means by which the powers it confers may be executed…"

Which constitutional provision does this decision support?

• commerce clause

• judicial review

• habeas corpus

• elastic clause

Which list includes roles of the president?

• Chief Justice, Commander-in-Chief

• Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive

• Speaker of the House, Chief Executive

• Speaker of the House, Chief Justice

The statement below is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974.

"Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States."

Source: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary

How have similar statements influenced modern congressional actions?

• presidential impeachment

• presidential nomination

• presidential election

• presidential veto

The newspaper headline above describes an event in U.S. history.

Which parts of the national government participated in the process described in the newspaper headline?

• Senate and President

• Supreme Court and President

• House of Representatives and Senate

• Supreme Court and House of Representatives

The following passage is from McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).

"If…such be the mandate of the Constitution, we have only to obey; but that instrument does not profess to enumerate the means by which the powers it confers may be executed…"

Which constitutional provision does this decision support?

• commerce clause

• judicial review

• habeas corpus

• elastic clause

The President of the United States is formally elected by a process known as the electoral college. Many people today believe this process should be changed because

• modern day electronic voting is more efficient.

• it can take several days or even weeks to finalize election results.

• a person who did not receive the most popular votes may be elected President.

• this process has never worked well and frequently the results are challenged in court.