2.5 Checks on The Presidency

Match the following

• John Tower

• U.S. Senator from Texas (1961-1985) and the first Republican senator from Texas since Reconstruction. He is known for his expertise in foreign affairs and defense policy.

• Thursgood Marshall

• Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1965 until 1969 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. His nomination for Chief Justice was filibustered due to ethical concerns, marking one of few times this has happened in U.S history.

• Robert Bork

• was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1967-1991. He was the first African American justice and is best known for his high success rate in arguing before the Supreme Court and for his role in ending legal segregation with Brown v. Board of Education.

• Abe Fortas

• was a judge and legal scholar known for his conservative views. He was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Reagan in 1987, but his nomination was rejected by the Senate.

• Sandra Day O'Connor

• first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, serving from 1981 to 2006. She was known for her pragmatic approach and centrist views.

U.S. Senator from Texas (1961-1985) and the first Republican senator from Texas since Reconstruction. He is known for his expertise in foreign affairs and defense policy.

• John Tower

• Abe Fortas

• Robert Bork

• Sandra Day O'Connor

• Thurgood Marshall

Answer explanation

Think of John Tower as a trailblazer, much like the first person to climb Mount Everest. Just as that climber broke new ground by reaching the summit, Tower broke political barriers by becoming the first Republican senator from Texas post-Reconstruction.

judge and legal scholar known for his conservative views. He was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Reagan in 1987, but his nomination was rejected by the Senate.

• John Tower

• Abe Fortas

• Robert Bork

• Sandra Day O'Connor

• Thurgood Marshall

Answer explanation

Imagine Robert Bork as an actor auditioning for a role in a movie (the Supreme Court). Despite having all the skills and experience, he didn't get the part because of disagreements over his interpretation of the script (his conservative judicial philosophy).

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1965 until 1969 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. His nomination for Chief Justice was filibustered due to ethical concerns, marking one of few times this has happened in U.S history.

• John Tower

• Abe Fortas

• Robert Bork

• Sandra Day O'Connor

• Thurgood Marshall

Answer explanation

Imagine you're playing a board game and one player is accused of cheating so they aren't allowed to advance further or win – that's similar to what happened with Abe Fortas when his promotion was blocked due to ethical issues.

the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, serving from 1981 to 2006. She was known for her pragmatic approach and centrist views.

• John Tower

• Abe Fortas

• Robert Bork

• Sandra Day O'Connor

• Thurgood Marshall

Answer explanation

Think of Sandra Day O'Connor as a trailblazer in a dense forest. Just like the first person who cuts a path through an untouched wilderness, she paved the way for future women in the judiciary by being the first female Supreme Court Justice.

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1967-1991. He was the first African American justice and is best known for his high success rate in arguing before the Supreme Court and for his role in ending legal segregation with Brown v. Board of Education.

• John Tower

• Abe Fortas

• Robert Bork

• Sandra Day O'Connor

• Thurgood Marshall

Answer explanation

Consider Thurgood Marshall as a key player on a basketball team who consistently scores points (wins cases). His most significant "game-winning shot" was Brown v. Board of Education which ended legal segregation - changing rules of game forever.

The White House Staff is made up of individuals who directly support the President's work. This includes advisors, assistants, and other administrative professionals.

• True

• False

This is the process outlined in Article II of the Constitution that requires congressional appointees be confirmed by majority vote in the Senate before they can officially take their position.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Presidential Appointees, not congressional

A president's legacy in the judicial department refers to the lasting impact a president has on the judiciary, often through appointments of judges and Supreme Court justices who can serve for life.

• True

• False

This is a U.S. law aimed at improving the performance of primary and secondary schools by increasing standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools.

• No Child Left Behind

• Brown V Board of Education