Who assumes the presidency of the United States if the president is removed from office while the vice-presidency is vacant?

Question

A.
the Speaker of the House of Representatives

B.
the White House chief of staff

C.
the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court

D.
the president pro tempore of the Senate

Answer 1

A. the Speaker of the House of Representatives

If the presidency becomes vacant and the vice presidency is also unoccupied, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is next in line to assume the presidency, according to the Presidential Succession Act.

Answer 2

The following question has two parts. First, read the text and answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A:
Whensoever therefore the legislative shall transgress this fundamental rule of society; and either by ambition, fear, folly or corruption, endeavour to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of any other, an absolute power over the lives, liberties, and estates of the people; by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands for quite contrary ends, and it devolves to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty[.]
— John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
Which influential idea does Locke describe in this excerpt?

A.
Revolutions are betrayals of the majority of the people by a smaller segment of the population.

B.
The government has the power to use any means necessary to enforce the rule of law on citizens.

C.
It is the obligation of the people to revolt against governments that act against the people's interests.

D.
The government has absolute power and will retain control even after protest or revolt by citizens.

Multiple Choice Question
Part B:
Which US founding document MOST embodies the idea expressed in Part A?

A.
the Bill of Rights

B.
the United States Constitution

C.
the Articles of Confederation

D.
the Declaration of Independence

Answer 3

Part A:
C. It is the obligation of the people to revolt against governments that act against the people's interests.

Part B:
D. the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence embodies the idea of the people's right to revolt against a government that fails to protect their rights and interests, as articulated by John Locke in the excerpt.

Answer 4

The following question has two parts. First, read the texts and answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A:

[This] is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics . . . derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the [lawmakers]; this privilege in all ages has been, and always will be abused. The best of men could not escape the censure and envy of the times they lived in. Yet . . . a [lawmaker], who sincerely aims at the good of society, will always have the inclinations of a great majority on his side.
— Benjamin Franklin, 1737

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
—First Amendment to the US Constitution
How did Franklin's ideas influence the Framers' addition of the First Amendment to the Constitution?

A.
The Framers recognized that establishing due process protections were necessary to prevent oppression, such as was experienced under the British crown.

B.
The Framers recognized that establishing a society based on the rule of law was necessary to prevent abuses of power, such as those experienced under the British crown.

C.
The Framers recognized that allowing individuals of all faiths to worship freely was necessary to prevent oppression, such as was experienced under the British crown.

D.
The Framers recognized that allowing the free exchange of ideas was necessary to prevent abuses of power, such as those experienced under the British crown.

Multiple Choice Question
Part B: Which detail from the First Amendment is most directly associated with the answer to Part A?

A.
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of . . . the press."

B.
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the right of the people . . . to petition the Government."

C.
"Congress shall make no law . . . prohibiting the free exercise [of religion]."

D.
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the right of the people peaceably to assemble."

Answer 5

Part A:
D. The Framers recognized that allowing the free exchange of ideas was necessary to prevent abuses of power, such as those experienced under the British crown.

Part B:
A. "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of . . . the press."

This choice directly relates to the idea of allowing the free exchange of ideas, as the press plays a crucial role in disseminating information and enabling public scrutiny of lawmakers, which Franklin emphasizes as essential for the health of a free society.

Answer 6

Multiple Choice Question
After a bill that originates in the House of Representatives is voted on and passed by the House, what is the next step in the bill becoming a law?

A.
The bill is referred to a House subcommittee for study.

B.
The bill is debated on the floor of the House.

C.
The bill is sent to the president for approval.

D.
The bill is sent to the Senate to be considered and approved.

Answer 7

D. The bill is sent to the Senate to be considered and approved.

After a bill passes in the House of Representatives, the next step is for the bill to go to the Senate, where it will be considered, debated, and voted on.

Answer 8

Multiple Choice Question
Use the table to answer the question.

United States of America Canada
Type of Government
democratic republic and presidential democracy
two major political parties
constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy
two major political parties
Executive Branch
president as head of state and head of government
head of state/government chosen via general election
British queen as head of state
prime minister as head of government
head of government is the leader of the majority party in the legislature
Legislative Branch
bicameral legislature
bicameral legislature
Judicial Branch
independent judiciary
independent judiciary
Based on the table, how are the governments of Canada and the United States different?

A.
The legislative branch has more power to enforce laws in Canada than in the United States.

B.
The executive branch is more independent in Canada than in the United States.

C.
Political parties have more influence over policymaking in the United States than in Canada.

D.
The judicial branch plays a different role in the United States than it does in Canada.

Answer 9

B. The executive branch is more independent in Canada than in the United States.

In the context of the information provided, the U.S. president serves as both head of state and head of government in a system that is separate from the legislature, while in Canada, the prime minister (head of government) is chosen from the majority party in the legislature, making the executive branch more dependent on legislative support.

Answer 10

Other than the impeachment process, what allows for the removal of the president of the United States from office?

A.
the Elastic Clause, granting Congress the power to carry out its duties

B.
Article III, outlining the power and structure of the federal judicial branch

C.
the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, concerning vacancies in the presidency

D.
Article II, outlining the power and structure of the federal executive branch

Answer 11

C. the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, concerning vacancies in the presidency

The Twenty-Fifth Amendment provides procedures for the removal of the president from office in cases of disability or incapacity, in addition to the impeachment process.