1. Congressional Powers and Legislative Work
Chapter 6 and 7

2. Constitutional Provisions
Expressed Powers
Listed in the U.S. Constitution
Implied Powers
Article 1, Clause 18
Necessary and Proper Clause
Broad Interpretation
McCulloch v. Maryland expanded Congressional Power
Certain Powers are denied by Constitution

3. Legislative Powers Key Powers Foreign Policy Powers
Taxing
Spending
Regulating Interstate Commerce
Foreign Policy Powers
Approve Treaties
Declare War
Regulate Foreign Commerce
Naturalization, state admittance, governing federal property
Copyrights and patents, establish post offices, federal courts

4. Nonlegislative Powers
Remove federal officials from office
Senate approves presidential appointments
Senate ratifies formal treaties
Congress and state legislatures share power to propose Constitutional amendments

5. Impeachment
1. House of Representatives brings formal charges against an elected official
“Impeach” – means to bring formal charges
Impeach with a simple majority (51%)
2. Senate puts the person on trial; acts as jury
Must have 2/3 of Senate to convict
Penalty for conviction is removal from office
Can also prohibit from ever holding office again
If no conviction, the person is acquitted
An official can be “impeached” without being convicted

6. Impeachment 17 impeachments, 7 convictions
All convictions were Federal judges
Two Presidents have been impeached, both acquitted
1. Andrew Johnson
Handling South after Civil War
Impeachment was political revenge
2. Bill Clinton
Perjury - lying under oath
Clinton was censured – formal condemnation of his behavior
Richard Nixon—NOT Impeached
resigned just before impeachment (Watergate Scandal)
Senate probably would have convicted
Impeachment Video Ch. 6, lesson 1

7. Investigation Powers Conducted by standing or select committee
Happen for multiple reasons
Can lead to legislation and/or reforms
Can subpoena witness, punish perjury and contempt, and grant immunity
Must respect witnesses’ constitutional rights just as a court does
Goldman Sachs Investigation Video, Ch. 6, lesson 2

8. Oversight Power System of checks and balances
Require reports from an executive agency or have executive agency work studied by congressional support agency
Creates tension between branches
Partisan politics create additional difficulties
Resists presidential proposals

9. Balance of Power Has varied over the years
Crisis: Congress gives extra powers to president
Power of the Budget is a struggle between Congress and the president
Supreme Court struck down line-item veto

10. Types of Bills and Resolutions
Used to pass a law
Must be passed by both chambers and presented to president
Used for authorization of federal programs, appropriations, establish new federal agencies and revenue legislation
Joint Resolution
Like a bill, can be used to pass a law
Used for appropriations for a special purpose, constitutional amendment, declaration of war, adjust the debt limit

11. Bills and Resolutions Cont.
Simple Resolution
Not a law
Matters affecting only one house of Congress
Regulate internal affairs of the House or Senate
Concurrent Resolution
Matters requiring action of both the House and Senate
Regulate internal affairs of whole Congress
Budget resolutions, create joint committees, congressional recess

12. Introducing a Bill Must be introduced by a member of Congress
Assigned to a committee
Committee holds hearings to research the issue
Markup – edits are made to the bill based on research
Committee votes to report the bill to the House for a vote or to kill the bill
Most bills die in committee
Riders – attached to bills about different topic

13. Floor Action Amendments can be added to most bills during floor debate
Rules committee can limit amendments, debate rules, etc.
Voting requires a quorum
Passage of a bill requires a simple majority of members present

14. Final Steps Conference Committee Approved by both chambers
Produce identical versions
Approved by both chambers
Sent to president
Veto
Sign
Do nothing
Pocket veto
Override veto – 2/3
Law – registered with National Archives and Records Service
10% of all bills introduced become law
Passing Bills Video, Ch 7, Lesson 1

15. Taxes All revenue bills must start in House
House Ways and Means Committee shapes the tax bills
Usually debated under a closed rule in the house
No amendments, limited debate, etc.
Amendments usually added in the Senate

16. Spending Money Authorization Bill
Sets up a program
Funded by appropriations bill
Each chamber has a committee dedicated to appropriations bills
Earmarks – added to appropriations bills
Also called pork
Entitlements – expenditures legally required by law
Earmarks Video, Ch 7, lesson 2

17. Influences on Lawmakers
Factors that influence lawmaker votes
Temperament
Nature of the issue
Input from congressional staffers
Constituents’ preferences
Voting record is a part of getting reelected
Learn of preference through visits, messages, surveys, polls, and key supporters
Political Party
Tend to vote with party
Party supports members

18. Other Influences President President can support or oppose Lobbyists
Paid representatives of interest groups
Political Action Committees (Pac)
Super PACs
Donations
Educate

19. Handling Problems Casework – helping constituents with problems
Respond to thousands of requests for help
Caseworkers are staff members that handle constituent problems
Casework helps lawmakers get reelected, helps them monitor executive branch, is a part of their job

20. Helping the District or State
Public works projects
Money and jobs to state/district
Pork-barrel legislation
Federal programs or funds that benefit the lawmaker’s district only
Logrolling
Promised support for a lawmakers legislation in return for support
Federal grants and contracts funneled to lawmakers state or district