Chapter 12 Worksheet
Question 1Power of the PurseThis is the power that is required to set the taxing and spending policies of the nation. The power is from the Congress and they have the responsibility about it. Even a single dime cannot be spent from the federal treasury without Congress approval. The power of the purse is said to be the most essential power of Congress. It is the most effectual and complete weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate peoples’ representative. It looks the power of the President and gives Congress infinite influence over American society, since federal spending reaches into the life of every citizen.Coining MoneyThis is Congress power to regulate the value of native and foreign coin by fixing the standard of measures and weights. The Federal Congress has power to create and control money. They ensure that every citizen regardless state, station in life or territory must benefit by an adequate and stable currency. Therefore, according to law, the Government must be the controller of the value of money. Commerce PowersAccording to commerce clause the U.S. constitution provides congress the power to regulate business among several states and foreign nations.Other Regulatory PowersThis is the power possessed by the federal congress to set and regulate rules to limit certain activities. They provide several different services in their community and events to specific individuals. The enforcement of the government involves the controls and restrictions on certain activities conducted by the public sector.Judicial PowersThe power that Congress possess from the courts and judges to hear and decide justifiable cases, and to interpret, and enforce or void, statutes when disputes arise over their constitutionality.War PowersThe power of congress to declare war, they amend rules concerning captures on water and land or to grant letters of marquee and reprisal. This is under United States constitution. Foreign RelationsIt is the act of overseeing as well as funding foreign help programs. It is also the act of teaching for national allies and funding arms sales under the Foreign Relations Committee. Question 2Explain the concepts of the implied and denied powers of the legislative The congress has granted powers by the elastic clause of the constitution to pass unspecified laws which aligns with their exercise of its expressed power. The implied powers have been controversial. Currently, its powers have grown as more and more types of government activity have been allowed as implied powers. The powers denied to congress according to clause include; no tax or duty shall be laid on any exported articles from any state. Money from the treasury shall not be drawn in consequence of appropriation made by law. Question 3Non-legislative powersConducting InvestigationsThis is the power to conduct quality investigations, anybody associated in representing people or managing in any given environment may be involved in the investigation this is according to federal congress.Amending the ConstitutionThis is a formal change of the text or written constitution. According to the U.S constitution the amendment has two steps to follow, proposal of amendments and ratification. Two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress is required in amendment. Admitting New StatesA state of admitting changes in the federal government that constitutes political entities and aid in sharing the sovereignty with the U.S Congress.Governing Federal TerritoriesTerritories are the boundaries which were created to govern newly acquired land. They are kind of political divisions that are overseen by the U.S federal government.Choosing Executive OfficialsThis is the power of the federal congress that uses when electing new executive officials. The elections are conducted in a way that is fare and free to the citizens. Removing OfficialsThe power to impeach an elected official may be after committing a crime or declared unlawful to certain activities. Giving Advice and ConsentThe power of federal office to negotiate treaties with other nations, an act of federal government to enacts bills in constitutional contexts.Question 4Evolution of Congressional powerthis is the power of congress to sequential records such as legislative sessions. This power is either evolutionary or constitutional. They are created by the two houses of congress the house of representative and senate.
Chapter 13 Worksheet
Question 1
Standing committees
These are permanent committees that have legislative powers where they consider bills and propose actions to be taken. They have also the power to monitor the state agencies under their jurisdiction.
They are committees devised to investigate an occurrence in the government and propose action along their findings. They can be temporary or permanent.
Joint committees
They are composed of members from both houses. They are mandated to oversee and housekeep government activities like, government printing.
Question 2
Standing committees are responsible for the bills that are debated in congress. The committee considers the bills and makes recommendations to their chambers. Every bill that passes through congress has to pass through one of the standing committees.
Question 3
The standing committees have legislative powers and therefore can propose any laws to be passed by the house. As such, the legislation that is proposed by the committee entails crucial laws that are important to the government and the land.
Question 4
Members of the committees are selected by the full house after they are cleared by their respective parties. The members are chosen by political parties through caucuses upon application of interest. The selection is usually competitive since no qualifications are required.
Question 5
A filibuster is a scenario where a member tries to stop a vote on an issue by making deliberate measure to increase the debate duration. This trend is common when a member feels that the motion does not require to be voted into or is not satisfied. The filibuster can be terminated through a simple majority vote that decides on the direction that the senate is to take.
Question 6The four reasons can be sign it into law, hold on to the bill without vetoing or signing, veto the bill and finally send the bill back with recommendation for changes to the last house that past it.Question 7In U.S. Congress, standing committee are permanent legislative panels started by house rules. They consider bills and gives recommended measures for their consideration. Selected committee is congressional committee assigned to carry out special function which is beyond the capacity of a standing committee.Question 8Congress must consider the following proposals under special rules; predicted outcomes, mission, membership and term of office, reception and funding proposal.Question 9Main steps in passing a bill in Congress includes committee action to report a bill, conference committee action, final action, referral to other chamber, and the overriding a veto.
Chapter 14 Worksheet
Question 1
The purpose of the 22nd amendment is to set the term of presidency in the US. It was agreed that a person should hold a maximum of two 4 year terms as president with no chance of reelection. In addition, a person who has been president for a term cannot run again in the future. This was amended to reduce the duration in which a president could serve in office.
Question 2
The delegates reduced the powers if the presidency to prevent a situation where a president makes executive orders that harms the country. As such, the people can easily get rid of him or her after 4 years. The delegates assumed that not much harm can be done during a term of four years.
Question 3
Executive orders are issued by the president to help state offices and officials manage the affairs of the federal government efficiently without external interference. This means that the executive orders have the full backing of the law.
Question 4
The contentious issue was whether the president was above the law and had the powers to withhold information from other departments of the government. He decided to hide from Americans the situation in Vietnam and the intention to invade Cambodia. The court decided that He releases all the tapes that had the evidence on the happenings that were being covered by the executive.
Question 5
A treaty negotiated by the president must receive senate approval. In the USA, the president cannot sign a treaty that has less than two thirds majority support in the senate. If the treaty does not receive enough support in the senate, the president cannot sin it under the law or He can amend it according to the demands of the senate.
Question 6
The president can order deployment of the military in case of disaster or terrorism threat. The military can be used to reinforce security agencies. To deploy troops internally, the president needs to consult the congress to get a nod. However, in cases of emergencies, the president can act promptly as he deems necessary.
Works cited
Turner, Mary J, Kenneth A. Switzer, and Charlotte A. Redden. American Government: Principles and Practices. Columbus, Ohio: C.E. Merrill Pub. Co, 1983. Print.
