FCLE American Government and Political Institutions 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which branch of the U.S. federal government is responsible for interpreting the Constitution?

Legislative branch
Executive branch
Judicial branch (Correct answer)
Administrative branch

Correct answer: Judicial branch

The Judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, holds the power of judicial review and interprets the Constitution.

The Judicial branch of the federal government, established by Article III of the Constitution, is responsible for interpreting federal laws and the Constitution. The Supreme Court's landmark decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the principle of judicial review, giving courts the authority to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution. Florida students are expected to understand this separation among the three branches as part of the FCLE requirements.

Question 2: How many voting members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?

100
435 (Correct answer)
535
538

Correct answer: 435

The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, apportioned among states based on population.

The U.S. House of Representatives consists of 435 voting members, a number fixed by the Apportionment Act of 1911. Seats are distributed among the 50 states based on population as determined by the census conducted every 10 years. Florida currently has one of the largest delegations. This structure reflects the Founders' intent for the House to be the people's chamber, with representation tied directly to population size.

Question 3: What is the primary function of the Electoral College?

To elect members of Congress
To formally elect the President and Vice President (Correct answer)
To certify state election results
To nominate Supreme Court justices

Correct answer: To formally elect the President and Vice President

The Electoral College formally elects the President and Vice President using electors from each state.

The Electoral College is a body of electors established by the Constitution to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. Each state has a number of electors equal to its total Congressional representation (House seats plus two Senate seats). Florida has 30 electoral votes. A candidate needs 270 of the 538 total electoral votes to win. The Founders created this system as a compromise between election by Congress and direct popular vote.

Question 4: Which constitutional amendment established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote?

15th Amendment
17th Amendment (Correct answer)
19th Amendment
22nd Amendment

Correct answer: 17th Amendment

The 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, established that U.S. Senators are elected directly by voters rather than state legislatures.

Prior to the 17th Amendment, U.S. Senators were chosen by state legislatures, as specified in the original Constitution. The 17th Amendment, ratified on April 8, 1913, changed this by providing for the direct election of senators by the voters of each state. This reform was part of the Progressive Era movement to make government more democratic and reduce corruption in the selection process. It remains one of the most significant structural changes to the legislative branch.

Question 5: What power does Congress hold that allows it to remove the President from office?

Veto power
Impeachment power (Correct answer)
Filibuster power
Override authority

Correct answer: Impeachment power

Congress holds the impeachment power: the House impeaches (charges) and the Senate tries and can remove the President.

The Constitution grants Congress the power of impeachment as a check on the executive branch. The House of Representatives holds the sole power of impeachment (Article I, Section 2), meaning it can formally charge the President or other federal officials with Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. The Senate then holds a trial; a two-thirds vote is required for conviction and removal. This power is a critical component of the separation of powers and checks and balances system tested on the FCLE.

Question 6: In the U.S. federal system, which level of government retains powers not delegated to the national government?

Federal government only
State governments (Correct answer)
Local governments only
The Supreme Court

Correct answer: State governments

The 10th Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

The 10th Amendment to the Constitution, part of the Bill of Rights, states: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. This is the constitutional foundation of federalism in the United States. It means that state governments retain broad powers over matters not specifically granted to the federal government, such as education, local law enforcement, and marriage laws. This principle of reserved powers is a key FCLE topic.

FCLE American Government and Political Institutions 2

Which branch of the U.S. federal government is responsible for interpreting the Constitution?