Powers of Congress

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Powers of Congress

• Chapter 62

House Chamber
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I. Legislative Powers (expressed powers)

• A. levy and collect taxes
• 1. spend money
• a. authorization bills create projects and to
  be spent
• must originate in the House

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b. appropriations bills provide money for
authorized expenditures
Spending

• 2. borrow money
• B. regulate commerce
• 1. commerce clause gives expanded power for
  trade economic activities

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C. foreign relations treaties

• 1. power to declare war
• 2. approve treaties with foreign nations (2/3
  vote in Senate)
• 3. regulate trade with other countries

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II. Implied powers (elastic clause- Article I,
sec. 818)

• A. establish Federal Reserve Board (to borrow
  money)
• B. regulate immigration numbers to the U.S.
• C. institute a draft for the
  armed services

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III. Non-legislative Powers

• A. propose amendments
• B. resolve electoral college disputes
• C. approve presidential appointments (Senate)

Sen. Allard (CO) with marriage petitions
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D. conduct investigations

• 1. has subpoena power
• 2. impeachment and removal of
  officials
• a. House indicts
• b. Senate holds trial (2/3 to
  convict)

Clinton trial- 1999
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IV. Limitations on Power

• A. Bill of Rights protects our civil liberties
• B. taxation limited
• 1. no taxing of exports or interstate commerce

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C. cant suspend writ of habeas corpus

• 1. appearance before a judge
• D. no bills of attainder
• 1. finding a person or group guilty without a
  jury trial

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E. no ex post facto laws

• 1. make an act a crime after a previously legal
  act is committed
• F. no interference with reserved powers of states
• G. checks and balances