1. Congressional Powers
Chapter 6, Section 1

2. Types of Powers Legislative or Non-Legislative Expressed or Implied
Investigative
Oversight

3. Constitutional Powers
Founding Fathers intended for Congress to play the central role in government.

4. Constitutional Powers
“Expressed Powers”
(also called “Enumerated Powers”)
“Implied Powers”
(from the “Necessary and Proper Clause”)
See page 159 in your textbook.

5. Constitutional Powers
Strict Construction
Loose Construction

6. Powers Denied to Congress
Cannot violate Bill of Rights
Cannot suspend “writ of habeas corpus” (get out of jail to go to court)
Cannot pass “bills of attainder”
(if convicted, can take freedom and all of your possessions)
Cannot pass ex post facto laws
(retroactive laws)

7. Legislative Powers Taxing and Spending Power Power to levy taxes
Provide for general welfare of nation
Remember:
All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives

8. Legislative Powers Power to borrow money Power to coin money
Power to regulate foreign commerce

9. Legislative Powers Power to regulate interstate commerce Banking
Air transportation
Water pollution
Minimum Wage issues
Civil Rights issues

10. Legislative Powers Power to regulate interstate commerce Banking
Air transportation
Water pollution
Minimum Wage issues
Civil Rights issues Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S.

11. Moreton Rolleston Jr., owner of the Heart of  Atlanta

12. Legislative Powers Foreign Policy Powers Create and maintain military
Approve treaties
Declare war

13. Non-Legislative Powers
Power to choose the President (if no one gets a majority of the Electoral College)
Power to replace the President and VP (Presidential disability or resignation)
Power of impeachment (President and judges)
Power of confirmation (appointees)
Power of ratification (treaties)
Power to amend the Constitution

14. Investigation Power Can investigate: Situations and events People
Members of Congress
Congress can act much like a court.

15. Oversight Power
This is the authority to continually review how effectively the Executive Branch is carrying out the laws passed by Congress.
Reality: Oversight is uneven because politics become involved.