CDFM Module 1 Study Guide with
Complete Solutions
What are the 3 Branches of the Federal Government? - ANSWER-Legislative,
Executive, Judicial
The Federal Legislation Process can be traced back to the following key events: -
ANSWER-1. Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)
2. Articles of Confederation Ratified (March 1, 1781)
3. Constitution ratified by nine states (June 1788)
4. Constitution took effect (March 4, 1789)
What was a precursor to the Constitution? - ANSWER-The Articles of Confederation
(Ratified on March 1, 1781)
What did an amendment to the Articles of Confederation require? - ANSWER-
Unanimous approval of all the States
Why was the principle separation of power among the 3 branches of government
devised? - ANSWER-To allay the fear that a monolothic, centralized Goverment in
which all power was vested would lead to tyranny.
How does the Constitution define the fundamental law of the U.S. Federal Government?
- ANSWER-1. Sets forth the 3 principle branches of the Federal Government
2. Outlines their jurisdiction
3. Propounding the basic rights of U.S. Citizens
What is the essential principle of the Constitution? - ANSWER-Government must be
confined to the rule of law
How are contributions to constitutional interpretation set? - ANSWER-By precedent,
custom, and usage
Article 1, Section 1 states: - ANSWER-All legislative Powers herein granted shall be
vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of
Representatives.
,Article 1, Section 2 states: - ANSWER-The House of Representatives shall be
composed of members chosen every second year
Article 1, Section 3 states: - ANSWER-The Senate of the United States shall be
composed of two Senators from each state for 6 years
Article 1, Section 7 states: - ANSWER-1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in
the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments
as on other bills.
2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representative and the Senate,
shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the United States.
3. If any bill shall not be returned by the President with 10 days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if
he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which
case it shall not be a law.
Article 1, Section 8 States: - ANSWER-1. The Congress shall have Power to lay and
collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common
defense and general welfare of the United States
2. To declare war
Article 1, Section 9 states: - ANSWER-No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but
in consequence of Appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time
Article 2, Section 1 states: - ANSWER-Power shall be vested in the President of the
United States of America. He shall hold this office for 4 years along with a Vice-
President chosen for the same term
Article 2, Section 2 states: - ANSWER-The President shall be Commander-in-Chief of
the Army and Navy of the United States
Article 2, Section 3 states: - ANSWER-President shall give the Congress information on
the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measure as he shall
judge necessary and expedient
Article 3, Section 1 states: - ANSWER-The judicial power of the United States shall be
vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time
to time ordain and establish
Article 3, Section 2 states: - ANSWER-The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in
law and equity (Interpret law)
, All proposed legislation and nearly all formal actions by either of the two Houses take
the form of the following: - ANSWER-1. Bill (A legislative proposal general in nature)
President signs
2. Joint Resolution (My originate in the House or Representatives or Senate) President
Signs
3. Concurrent Resolution (Matters affecting both the House of Representatives and
Senate) Not presented to the President for action
4. Simple Resolution (Matters affecting either the House of Representatives or Senate)
Not presented to the President for action
What 3 ways can legislation originate? - ANSWER-1. Recommended by the President
2. Introduced by Members
3. Introduced by Commitee
How does a bill become law? - ANSWER-1. Any member of Congress may introduce a
bill by placing it in the "hopper".
2. After the public hearings are complete, the bill is considered in a session popularly
known as the "mark up".
3. If the committee has approved extensive amendments, they may decide to report a
new bill incorporating all of the amendments. This is known as the "clean bill", which will
also have a new number.
4. After the bill has passed one body (House of Senate), the bill is called an "engrossed"
bill.
5. Conference committees are very powerful and meet to resolve differences. This is
often been referred to as the "third chamber" of Congress.
6. After a measure has been passed in identical form by both the House and the
Senate, it is considered "enrolled". The bill is then sent to the President for
consideration.
The President, under Article 1, Section 7, Clause 2 has ten days after the bill has been
presented to him in which to act upon it. What actions can the President take? -
ANSWER-1. Approval and Signature: If the President approves the bill, he signs it,
giving the date, and transmits the information to Congress.
Complete Solutions
What are the 3 Branches of the Federal Government? - ANSWER-Legislative,
Executive, Judicial
The Federal Legislation Process can be traced back to the following key events: -
ANSWER-1. Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)
2. Articles of Confederation Ratified (March 1, 1781)
3. Constitution ratified by nine states (June 1788)
4. Constitution took effect (March 4, 1789)
What was a precursor to the Constitution? - ANSWER-The Articles of Confederation
(Ratified on March 1, 1781)
What did an amendment to the Articles of Confederation require? - ANSWER-
Unanimous approval of all the States
Why was the principle separation of power among the 3 branches of government
devised? - ANSWER-To allay the fear that a monolothic, centralized Goverment in
which all power was vested would lead to tyranny.
How does the Constitution define the fundamental law of the U.S. Federal Government?
- ANSWER-1. Sets forth the 3 principle branches of the Federal Government
2. Outlines their jurisdiction
3. Propounding the basic rights of U.S. Citizens
What is the essential principle of the Constitution? - ANSWER-Government must be
confined to the rule of law
How are contributions to constitutional interpretation set? - ANSWER-By precedent,
custom, and usage
Article 1, Section 1 states: - ANSWER-All legislative Powers herein granted shall be
vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of
Representatives.
,Article 1, Section 2 states: - ANSWER-The House of Representatives shall be
composed of members chosen every second year
Article 1, Section 3 states: - ANSWER-The Senate of the United States shall be
composed of two Senators from each state for 6 years
Article 1, Section 7 states: - ANSWER-1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in
the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments
as on other bills.
2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representative and the Senate,
shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the United States.
3. If any bill shall not be returned by the President with 10 days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if
he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which
case it shall not be a law.
Article 1, Section 8 States: - ANSWER-1. The Congress shall have Power to lay and
collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common
defense and general welfare of the United States
2. To declare war
Article 1, Section 9 states: - ANSWER-No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but
in consequence of Appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time
Article 2, Section 1 states: - ANSWER-Power shall be vested in the President of the
United States of America. He shall hold this office for 4 years along with a Vice-
President chosen for the same term
Article 2, Section 2 states: - ANSWER-The President shall be Commander-in-Chief of
the Army and Navy of the United States
Article 2, Section 3 states: - ANSWER-President shall give the Congress information on
the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measure as he shall
judge necessary and expedient
Article 3, Section 1 states: - ANSWER-The judicial power of the United States shall be
vested in one Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time
to time ordain and establish
Article 3, Section 2 states: - ANSWER-The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in
law and equity (Interpret law)
, All proposed legislation and nearly all formal actions by either of the two Houses take
the form of the following: - ANSWER-1. Bill (A legislative proposal general in nature)
President signs
2. Joint Resolution (My originate in the House or Representatives or Senate) President
Signs
3. Concurrent Resolution (Matters affecting both the House of Representatives and
Senate) Not presented to the President for action
4. Simple Resolution (Matters affecting either the House of Representatives or Senate)
Not presented to the President for action
What 3 ways can legislation originate? - ANSWER-1. Recommended by the President
2. Introduced by Members
3. Introduced by Commitee
How does a bill become law? - ANSWER-1. Any member of Congress may introduce a
bill by placing it in the "hopper".
2. After the public hearings are complete, the bill is considered in a session popularly
known as the "mark up".
3. If the committee has approved extensive amendments, they may decide to report a
new bill incorporating all of the amendments. This is known as the "clean bill", which will
also have a new number.
4. After the bill has passed one body (House of Senate), the bill is called an "engrossed"
bill.
5. Conference committees are very powerful and meet to resolve differences. This is
often been referred to as the "third chamber" of Congress.
6. After a measure has been passed in identical form by both the House and the
Senate, it is considered "enrolled". The bill is then sent to the President for
consideration.
The President, under Article 1, Section 7, Clause 2 has ten days after the bill has been
presented to him in which to act upon it. What actions can the President take? -
ANSWER-1. Approval and Signature: If the President approves the bill, he signs it,
giving the date, and transmits the information to Congress.
