7th Grade Civics Miss Smith *pgs. 143-146 Civics in Practice The Powers of Congress 7th Grade Civics Miss Smith *pgs. 143-146 Civics in Practice

Delegated Powers Finance the Government Pay for gov. programs and defense Collect taxes Borrow money Print & coin money Regulate & Encourage American Trade & Industry With other countries and among states Protects inventors

Delegated Powers Defend the Country Create Lower Courts To ensure laws are upheld Provide for Growth Regulate immigration & naturalization Govern territories of the U.S. Admit new states

Implied Powers The power to do whatever they need to do in relation to the Delegated Powers Must be “necessary & proper” This falls under the elastic clause Ex: Establishing military academies to train officers of the armed forces

Impeachment Power Impeach- to accuse an officeholder of misconduct The office holders can be removed if found guilty of crimes The House of Reps lists the charges If 2/3 of the House votes in favor of the charges, the official is impeached/formally accused Once impeached, the official is put on trial Trials take place in the Senate The VP acts as judge *unless the Pres. is on trial, then the Chief Supreme Court Justice presides The official is found guilty with a 2/3 vote in Senate

Special Powers The House of Reps. Must start all bills for raising revenue Has sole power to impeach public officials Chooses the president if no candidate gets enough votes Is the more active legislative body

Special Powers The Senate Hold all impeachment trials Chooses Vice Pres if there are not enough votes Approves all treaties (or written agreements) with foreign nations Must approve presidential appointments (such as Supreme Court justices/judges) Is the more deliberative and cautious body

Limits on Powers Some powers are reserved for the state governments, for ex.: States regulate and conduct elections Create schools Establish marriage laws

Limits on Powers The Constitution forbids Congress from: *The Constitution is located on pgs. 54-81 in your Civics in Practice textbook The Constitution forbids Congress from: Passing ex post facto laws- laws on actions that happened before the law was passed Passing bills of attainder- sending people to jail with no trial Removing the right of a court order Taxing exports Passing laws that violate the Bill of Rights Favoring trade of a state Granting titles of nobility Withdrawing money without a law