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Watch Confirmation
Hearing for Porter Goss
to be CIA chief. (9/2004)

Confirmation Process
The Senate must confirm the president's nominations to the Supreme Court, the cabinet and other executive staff. Once the president nominates someone to a specific position, it is referred to the committee with jurisdiction over the position or the agency in which the position exists. Read more

Worksheet

Vocabulary

Fun Fact
The Senate derives this power, "advice and consent" from Article II of the Constitution. It is one of the "checks" the legislative branch exercises over other branches.

Capitol Question
How many votes does it take to confirm a president's nominees for his cabinet? Which congressional committees hold hearings on their suitability?

Answer

Learn More
Watch a portion of any committee confirmation hearing. Describe the roles of the members of Congress. Why are these hearings so important if 99 percent of presidential appointments are confirmed? (Source: Congressional Research Service.)

Review Quiz
1. Name a least two types of executive branch nominees that must be confirmed by the Senate.

2. Which committee holds hearings on a potential Supreme Court Justice?

3. Where in the Constitution is the Senate's power of "advice and consent" on executive branch nominations mentioned?

4. True or False: Cabinet nominees must be confirmed by a 2/3 vote.

5. Where do the nominees sit at a confirmation hearing in relation to the senators?

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Legislative Branch
Standard-Based Topics
Vocabulary
Quiz
Activities
Worksheets
Legislative Branch Leaders
U.S. Senate Web Site
U.S. House Web Site
Executive Branch
Standard-Based Topics
Vocabulary
Quiz
Activities
Worksheets
Executive Branch Leaders
White House Web Site

Judicial Branch
Standard-Based Topics
Vocabulary
Quiz
Activities
Worksheets
Judicial Branch Leaders
U.S. Supreme Court Web Site
Federal Courts Web Site

3 Branches of Government

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