SS.7.C.1.7, SS.7.C.1.9, SS.7.C.2.9

What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?

• overriding vetoes

• appointing judges

• declaring laws unconstitutional

• refusing to confirm appointments

The statement below was written by John Adams in April 1776.

"A representation of the people in one assembly being obtained, a question arises, whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy, whose government is in one assembly."

Source: Thoughts on Government, Letter of John Adams

Which basic principle of American government is John Adams describing in this statement?

• separation of powers

• individual rights

• natural laws

• civic virtue

The attached table describes several powers of the U.S. government.

Which two principles are described in this table?

• federalism and republicanism

• federalism and judicial review

• separation of powers and popular sovereignty

• separation of powers and checks and balances

Which principle does the U.S. Supreme Court apply when it declares an act of Congress unconstitutional?

• separation of powers

• checks and balances

• advice and consent

• executive privilege

Which principle supports President Eisenhower’s action to uphold the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that public schools should be integrated?

• judicial review

• checks and balances

• separation of powers

• constitutional government

Which principle is included in the U.S. Constitution?

• rule of law

• right to trial

• capitalism

• confederalism

The passages below are from Executive Order 13490, issued by President Barack Obama in 2009.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution …it is hereby ordered as follows:

…Every appointee in every executive agency …shall be ...committed to, the following pledge upon becoming an appointee:

"As a condition, and in consideration, of my employment in the United States Government in a position invested with the public trust, …I will not accept gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the duration of my service as an appointee.”

Source: The White House Press Office

Based on these passages, what is the purpose of this executive order?

• Government employees should work with interest groups.

• Government employees should support political candidates.

• Government employees should be held to the rule of law.

• Government employees should respect enforcement of the law.

The quote below is from a 1977 interview with President Richard Nixon.

"Well, when the President does it, that means that it is not illegal."

Source: New York Times

Based on the quote, what can be presumed about the rule of law?

• It requires judicial review.

• It promotes fair procedures.

• It requires consistent application.

• It promotes institutional transparency.

The conversation below took place between two U.S. citizens.

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Kevin: I do not want to visit a country where the police force operates like an organized crime gang.

Peggy: I do not want to visit a country where the police make up evidence.

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What principle is important to these citizens?

• representative democracy

• freedom of speech

• trial by jury

• rule of law

The statement below is from the Magna Carta written in 1215.

"To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice."

Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Which political principle justifies this statement?

• The right to trial protects political institutions.

• The rule of law guarantees fair legal treatment.

• Checks and balances prevent tyranny in government.

• Separation of powers permits shared government authority.