American Government Two

We elect a President for how many years?​ (a)  

• 4
• 6
• 2

Answer explanation

Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

Who signs bills to become laws?​ (a)  

• The President
• Congress
• The Senate

Answer explanation

The bill is sent to the President for review. A bill becomes law if signed by the President or if not signed within 10 days and Congress is in session. If Congress adjourns before the 10 days and the President has not signed the bill then it does not become law ("Pocket Veto.")

What are the two major political parties of the U.S.?​ (a)  

• Republican and Democratic
• Independent and Republican
• Democratic and Independent

Answer explanation

Political parties are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution (which predates the party system). The two-party system is based on laws, party rules, and custom. Several third parties also operate in the U.S. and, from time to time, elect someone to local office.

What does the President's Cabinet do​ (a)  

• Advises the President
• Writes bills
• Creates laws

Answer explanation

Established in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?​ (a)  

• Print money
• Establish local school policies
• Establish local fire departments

Answer explanation

The Constitution contains only two sections dealing with monetary issues. Section 8 permits Congress to coin money and to regulate its value. Section 10 denies states the right to coin or to print their own money.

Name one branch or part of the government​ (a)  

• Executive
• College administrators
• Special interest groups

Answer explanation

Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. Fifteen executive departments — each led by an appointed member of the President's Cabinet — carry out the day-to-day administration of the federal government.

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?​ (a)  

• The Vice President
• The President elect
• The Speaker of the House

Answer explanation

The president of the United States may be replaced if he or she:

• Becomes incapacitated

• Dies

• Resigns 

• Is unable to hold office 

• Is removed from office 

The U.S. Constitution and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 outline the presidential order of succession. The line of succession of cabinet officers is in the order of their agencies’ creation.

1. Vice President

2. Speaker of the House

3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate

4. Secretary of State

5. Secretary of the Treasury

6. Secretary of Defense

7. Attorney General

8. Secretary of the Interior

9. Secretary of Agriculture

10. Secretary of Commerce

11. Secretary of Labor

12. Secretary of Health and Human Services

13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

14. Secretary of Transportation

15. Secretary of Energy

16. Secretary of Education

17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

18. Secretary of Homeland Security

Who vetoes bills?​ (a)  

• The President
• The Cabinet
• The Vice President

Answer explanation

The Framers of the Constitution gave the President the power to veto acts of Congress to prevent the legislative branch from becoming too powerful. This is an illustration of the separation of powers integral to the U.S. Constitution.

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives?​ (a)  

• Kevin McCarthy
• Nancy Pelosi
• Paul Ryan

Answer explanation

Election Speaker Chosen from Members Article I, section 2 of the Constitution directs that the House choose its Speaker and other officers. The Speaker is the only House officer who traditionally has been chosen from the sitting membership of the House.

Why do some states have more Representatives than others?​ (a)  

• The state's population
• The land the state has
• Because they have less people

Answer explanation

The Constitution provides for proportional representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and the seats in the House are apportioned based on state population according to the constitutionally mandated Census.