Powers given to Congress
Promote the general welfare Make laws Regulate commerce Collect taxes and borrow money “Power of the purse”
Provide for the common defense Maintain and raise an army Congress has the sole power to declare war, NOT the President Congress has only exercised this power 5 times WWII, WWI, Spanish-American War, Mexican-American War, War of 1812 War powers act-limits President’s power to send troops into combat without approval from Congress Debate of when congressional approval is needed is ongoing
Establish justice Create federal courts below Supreme Court Senate approval needed for appointed judges House can impeach government officials, including President Senate puts the impeached person on trial Only 2 presidents have been impeached, neither convicted Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton
Unlisted powers Elastic clause: allows congress to make laws that are “necessary and proper” Called elastic clause because it stretches congress’ power Example: Coining money Congress set up mint to design, create, and distribute money
Non-legislative powers Conduct investigations Gather information to make laws Find out how executive branch is enforcing laws
Limits to Congress’ powers President can veto laws, Supreme court can declare laws unconstitutional Congress can’t take away right of Writ of Habeas Corpus except in times of invasion or civil war Can’t pass bill of attainder Can’t pass ex post facto laws
How Congress is organized House of Representatives and Senate must have a leader House: Speaker of the House Senate: Vice President/President Pro Tempore Before new Congress begins majority party selects congressional leaders
Speaker of the House More powerful than President pro tempore Decides order of business and who can speak Appoints members of committees and refers bills to committees 2 nd in line for Presidency
Senate Vice President presides over Senate Can’t take part in debates Can only vote if there is a tie Often VP is busy, therefore President Pro Tempore usually acts as presiding officer
Floor leaders Chief officers of majority and minority parties in each house Next to Speaker of the House, they are the most powerful in Congress Guide bills through Congress, work closely with committee leaders and party members Whips-assistants to floor leaders Tries to persuade party members on key issues, and be present during votes