Congressional Powers

1
Congressional Powers

• Objectives
• Explain both expressed and implied powers of
  Congress
• Name and describe two non-legislative powers of
  Congress
• List four special powers of Congress

• Summarize the three basic limits to congressional
  power in the constitution

2
Vocabulary

• Expressed powers powers given to Congress in
  Article I of Constitution.
• Implied Powers those powers NOT listed in the
  Constitution.
• Impeachment the process of removing an official
  from office.
• Appropriation Bills legislation dealing with
  money.

3
Expressed Powers

• The power to...
• collect taxes,
• borrow money,
• regulate foreign and interstate commerce,
• Maintain armed forces,
• declare war,
• and regulate immigration naturalization.

4
Legislative Powers

• Expressed powers can be divided into several
  categories
• Monetary Powers deals how money should be spent.
  
• Commerce Powers regulation of trade and
  government services.
• War Powers provides protection to the United
  States.
• Governing Powers oversees states, territories,
  and government property.
• Judicial Powers assists conducting judicial
  functions of government.

5
Nonlegislative Powers

• These powers enable government to operate more
  effectively and help to check powers of other
  branches of government.
• For example
• Congress has the power to propose amendments or
  changes to the Constitution,
• Investigate legislation or activities of the
  executive branch,
• Impeachment procedures of government officials.

6
The Power to Impeach

• Impeachment is one of Congresss most important
  nonlegislative powers.
• To accuse government officials of wrongdoing, put
  them on trial, and if necessary, remove them from
  office.

7
Legislative Oversight

• Congress has the ability to review how well the
  Executive Branch carries out laws enacted by
  Congress.
• Special investigations are instituted when
  wrongdoing is suspected.

8
Special Powers of Congress

• The Constitution reserves special powers for each
  house of Congress the Senate and the House of
  Representatives.

9
Special Powers of the House

• Impeachment proceedings (bring charges).
• Choose president if no candidate wins a majority
  in the Electoral College.
• Introduce tax bills and appropriations or bills
  that involve money.

10
Special Powers in the Senate

• Acting as the jury in an impeachment trial.
• Ratifying treaties with other countries.
• Approve or reject the Presidents appointments.

11
Limits to Congressional Power

• According to Article I of the Constitution,
  Congress may not
• favor one state over another,
• tax interstate commerce,
• or tax exports.
• Congress cannot pass laws without money to
  finance them.

• Article I of the Constitution also forbids
  Congress from interfering with the legal rights
  of individuals.
• The Bill of Rights also denies Congress certain
  powers.
• But, the Supreme Court can declare a law
  unconstitutional.

12
Close

• Which powers of Congress do you think have the
  greatest impact on peoples lives today?