Constitutional Law Matrix

Card 2: A candidate you strongly support was just elected Senator. How many years must pass before this candidate is reelected?

• 6

• 4

• 5

• 7

Answer explanation

Article 1

Section 3

"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each State...for Six Years."

Card 3: The media are reporting a rise in federal income tax for the coming year. Where did this new tax originate?

• House of Representatives

• Senate

• Supreme Court

• The President

Answer explanation

Article: 1

Section: 7

"All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives."

Card 4: Troops from a foreign country have invaded Oregon. Which branch of government has the power to declare war against this aggressor?

• The Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)

• Congress (Legislative Branch)

• The President (Executive Branch)

• The State of Oregon (State Government)

Answer explanation

Article: 1

Section: 8

"The Congress shall have the power...to declare War."

Card 5: The United States and another country recently agreed to a treaty on arms reduction. Who has the power to make such a treaty with a foreign country?

• Congress

• The President

• The President with Senate Approval

• The Attorney General

Answer explanation

Article: 2

Section: 2

"He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties."

Card 6: The president has appointed a new ambassador to Haiti. Who must approve this appointment before it can take effect?

• The House of Representatives

• The Senate

• The Supreme Court

• The People of the United States

Answer explanation

Article: 2

Section: 2

"He shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors."

Card 7: A Supreme Court justice has announced her retirement. Who has the power to nominate a replacement?

• The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

• The President

• Congress

• The Vice President

Answer explanation

Article: 2

Section: 2

"He shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint...Judges to the Supreme Court."

Card 8: The presidential candidate you favor has been called the “youngest person ever to run for president.” How old must this candidate be to qualify for the presidency?

• 40

• 25

• 30

• 35

Answer explanation

Article: 2

Section: 2

"...attained to the Age of thirty five Years."

Card 9: You are disappointed the morning after Election Day to discover that the new president was not who you voted for. In how many years can you vote again?

• 5 Years

• 2 Years

• 4 Years

• 8 Years

Answer explanation

Article: 2

Section: 1

"He shall hold his office during the Term of four Years."

Card 10: If the vice president were to commit a federal offence, who has the power to impeach him or her? Who has the power to try the impeached official?

• The State Courts

• The People of the United States

• The Supreme Court

• The House of Representatives can impeach; the Senate tries the impeachment

Answer explanation

Article: 1

Section: 2 and 3

"The House of Representatives... shall have sole power of impeachment".

"The Senate shall have sole power to try all Impeachments."

Card 11: Who has the power to regulate trade between states?

• Congress

• The President

• Secretary of Commerce

• The Governors of the states involved.

Answer explanation

Article: 1

Section: 8

"The Congress shall have Power... To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States."