1. Why do people create, structure, and change governments?
Powers of Congress
Why do people create, structure, and change governments?

2. Legislative Powers
What kinds of lawmaking powers were given to Congress by the Constitution?
Understanding what powers Congress has—and how those powers are limited—is vital knowledge for every American citizen.

3. Expressed Powers
Most of the powers that the Constitution gives to Congress are listed in Article I, Section 8.
expressed powers or the enumerated powers - These powers that are clearly stated in the Constitution.
There are 18 different clauses listing powers specifically given to Congress.
(See Red Chart)

5. Implied Powers
implied powers - Certain powers are given to Congress even though they are not specifically stated in the Constitution.
- means they are not stated directly in the Constitution but can be understood to be granted.
The source of these powers is Article I, Section 8, Clause 18.
This clause says that Congress has the power to do whatever is “necessary and proper” to carry out its expressed powers.
Clause 18 (nicknamed the elastic clause) because it has allowed Congress to stretch its powers to meet new needs.

7. Lawmaking Powers Most of Congress’s powers relate to making laws.
many lawmaking powers fall into one of three major categories—money, commerce, and military and foreign policy. (See chart on previous page)
Congress has the power to raise and spend money.
-power to require people to pay taxes and the power to print money.
2. Congress can also regulate, or manage, commerce that takes place across state lines.
-Commerce - the business of buying and selling goods and services.
3. Congress makes laws about defense matters, war, and foreign policy issues.
-has the power to create and maintain armed forces.
-Congress alone has the power to declare war.
The Constitution also gives Congress the power to create a postal service and a federal court system.
-sets up the government of Washington, D.C.

8. Nonlegislative Powers
Nonlegislative Power - duty Congress holds besides lawmaking
-suggest amendments to the Constitution.
-allow it to check the other branches of government.
-The Senate has the power to approve or reject the president’s nominees for various offices.
-Impeachment - allows Congress to remove from office any federal official involved in serious wrongdoing.

9. Limits on Congressional Powers
The Constitution explains not only what Congress may do but also what it may not do.
-Some limits are imposed by the Bill of Rights.
Writ of Habeas Corpus - a court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why the person is being held
Bills of attainder - a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court
ex post facto laws - a law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed