2. 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

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. Nonlegislative Powers These powers enable government to operate more effectively and help to check powers of other branches of government. –F–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.

7. The Power to Impeach Impeachment is one of Congress’s most important nonlegislative powers. –T–To accuse government officials of wrongdoing, put them on trial, and if necessary, remove them from office.

8. 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.

9. Special Powers of Congress The Constitution reserves special powers for each house of Congress; the Senate and the House of Representatives.

10. 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.

11. Special Powers in the Senate Acting as the jury in an impeachment trial. Ratifying treaties with other countries. Approve or reject the President’s appointments.

12. 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.

13. Close Which powers of Congress do you think have the greatest impact on people’s lives today?