University:
Bradley University
Course:
PLS 105 | Introduction to American Government
Academic year:

2022
Views:

208

Pages:

18
Author:

Gudrunecg9m

Chapter 6 Section 2 The Powers of Congress Vocabulary • Expressed Powers: Powers that are written in the US Constitution • Implied Powers- Power that are held, but are not written in the US Constitution • Elastic Clause – (Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18) allows congress to stretch the constitution and make laws that are necessary and proper for the US to function properly Vocabulary • Authorization Bill – bills that congress creates to start a new gov’t program • Appropriations Bill – bills that congress passes to give money to gov’t programs, divides up the tax money among gov’t programs • Commerce – trade and other economic activities, business Vocabulary • Impeach – to accuse a public official of misconduct • Writ of habeas corpus – a person must be told in court why they are being held in prison • Bills of attainder – laws that punish a person w/o a trial • Ex post facto laws – laws that make an act a crime after it has been committed I. Legislative Powers (Intro.) • Congress’s powers are written in the US Constitution in Article 1 Section 8 - Clauses 1-17 expressed powers - Clause 18 implied powers • Almost all of congress’s powers are about the ability to make laws • Congress makes laws that deal with: -Taxing and Spending - Regulating Commerce - Foreign Relations and Treaties II. Legislative Powers (Taxing and Spending) • Congress collects taxes to pay for our government • ALL Tax Laws MUST start in the House, but have to be approved by the Senate as well • Likewise, bills to spend money Must start in the House II. Legislative Powers (Taxing and Spending) • Spending is a 2 step process for congress 1. It starts out as a plan for a project or program called an Authorization Bill. 2. When the step 1 is passed then congress must decide how much money that project or program is allowed from the budget. This is called an Appropriation Bill. • All gov’t agencies must have approval before spending money III. Legislative Powers (Regulating Commerce) • Congress has the power to make laws that deal with ANY part of foreign or interstate trade • Areas that deal with foreign and interstate trade: - movement of goods and people through roads, rail, air, and water - advertisement and use of the TV, Radio, or Phone - Pollution - Banking and Stock Markets IV. Legislative Powers (Foreign Relations and Treaties) • ONLY Congress can declare war • They create laws to create and maintain a standing military • They must approve all treaties with foreign nations V. Non-legislative Powers (Intro.) • Can propose new Constitutional Amendments with a 2/3 vote in both houses • Presidential Election Duties - The House picks the president if 1 candidate doesn’t receive the majority of electoral votes, the senate chooses the VP - Decides how to settle disputes if a presidential candidate dies or if they die once they are elected • They have the power to check the other branches of gov’t VI. Non-legislative Powers (Power of approval and Removal) • The Senate must approve all of the President’s nominations for gov’t positions • Congress can remove any gov’t official from office through impeachment and removal V. Non-legislative Powers (Power of approval and removal) • Impeachment and Removal : 1. The House holds the power impeach gov’t officials 2. Once impeached the Senate acts as a jury and determines if the person is guilty. 3. If the vote in the Senate is that 2/3 of the senators believe they are guilty the impeached person is removed from office. V. Non-legislative Powers (Power of approval and removal) • Impeachment is often used with federal judges • 2 presidents have been impeached, but neither was removed from office - Andrew Johnson 1868 - Bill Clinton 1998 VI. Non-legislative Powers (Power of oversight and investigation) • After laws are passed congress watches to make sure they are enforced and working • Congress leads investigations into major crisis that occur in the US - Purpose is to not allow the problem to happen again - Example 9/11 commission, Warren commission VII. Limits on Congressional Power • The Bill of Rights limits the powers of Congress • One state is not allowed to receive privileges over another • Cannot suspend the writ of habeas corpus • Cannot pass bills of attainder • Cannot pass ex post facto laws VII. Limits on Congressional Power • States are allowed to hold certain powers that congress cannot touch - Examples: Public Education and Local Gov’t • Other branches of gov’t balance out the power of congress - Supreme Court may rule laws unconstitutional - President can veto any law passed by congress

Powers of Congress Worksheet

Related Documents

Recommended Documents

Description

Related Documents

Free up your schedule!

Take 5 seconds to unlock