Name __________________________________________________________

HONORS GOVERNMENT ASSIGNMENT

Interpreting the Constitution of the United States, Part I

Article I: The Legislature

Section 1:

1.      This section provides for a ____________________ legislature, consisting of a ____________________ and ____________________.

Section 2:

2.      Hilary, age 32, wants to run for office in the House of Representatives.  Does the Constitution permit her to do so? 

3.      In 1790, the state of Rhode Island had approximately 60,000 people.  How many Representatives would Rhode Island have in the House according to the formula prescribed by the Constitution?

4.      We see that taxation based on population was removed by Amendment XVI.  Rather than direct taxes being based on population, this amendment allows the national government to tax _______________.

5.      How is the system of checks and balances represented in the “sole power” granted to the House of Representatives? 

Section 3:

6.      How is representation in the Senate equal among the states? 

7.      Why does the Constitution break the Senate into three groups?

8.      Jeff, a 37 year old tax attorney from New York, wishes to run for the Senate.  He currently lives in Tampa, Florida.  Is he allowed to run for Senator for New York?  Why or why not?

9.      The Senate is voting for President Bush’s funding request for rebuilding Iraq.  There is an even split among the 100 senators.  Who casts the final vote? 

10.  As a further “check,” what “sole power” is the Senate granted?  Why do you think this is the case? 

Section 5:

11.  Why does the Constitution require that each house publish a journal of its proceedings that is to include the voting record of each of its members? 

Section 6: 

12.  Do members of Congress receive a salary?  If so, who pays?

Section 7:

13.  All tax bills must originate in the _________________________.  Why do you think that this is the case? 

14.  The House of Representatives proposes a bill that would provide all Americans with health insurance.  The Senate approves the bill and passes it to the President.  The President disagrees with the bill and vetoes it.  What must occur in order for the health insurance bill to become a law?

Section 8:

15.  What are three powers granted to Congress that helped to stabilize the nation’s economy?

16.  What are three powers granted to Congress that provided for the “common defense” of the nation?

17.  What clause allows Congress to go beyond its enumerated powers? 

Section 9:

18.  How is Section 9 different from Section 8? 

19.  What are four powers denied to Congress? 

Section 10: 

20.  It can be said that federalism is most noticeable in Article I, Section 10.  Explain. 

21.  The states of California and New York have decided to protest U.S. involvement in Iraq.  They create the “Alliance for Iraqi Liberation,” refusing to acknowledge the power of the national government so long as President Bush insists on keeping troops in Iraq.  Do California and New York have the right to create such an alliance?  Explain. 

Article II: The Executive

Section I:

     22. Each state appoints a number of electors equivalent to? 

    23. Trent Lott is a US Senator from Mississippi.  Can he be an elector?  Why or why not?

    24. Under the original wording of the constitution, how would the president and vice president be chosen?  What would happen in the case of a tie?

    25. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria, but is now a US citizen and the Governor of California.  He is interested in running for president in 2012.  Is this constitutionally possible?  Why or why not?  What criteria must be met before a person can be president?

    26. Under the original wording of the constitution, what would occur if the President could no longer fulfill his duty?  What if the President and Vice-President were both incapacitated?

Section II: 

    27. Name the three powers specifically given to the President under the first paragraph of Section II.

    28. List the ways that the president’s power is checked by Section II.  Mention the power that he is given and how that power is checked.

    29. The last paragraph of section II gives the president the power to make recess appointments.  What is meant by a recess appointment?

Section III:

30. List the responsibilities that the president receives from Section III.

Section IV:

31. For what offenses can a president be removed from office?