1. Congress

2. Article One of the U.S. Constitution creates the Legislative Branch of our national government

3. Congress CAN CAN NOT Make laws for the nation Make laws for the states
Deny citizens legal rights
Deny citizens civil rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights

4. Our Congress is Bicameral
The two houses of Congress are:
Senate
House of Representatives

5. Congress has three powers:
Expressed
Implied
Inherent

6. The Expressed Powers

7. The Money Power Power to Tax
Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the Constitution gives to Congress the power to tax in order to meet the public needs, protect domestic industry, or protect public health and safety. Must be at same rate throughout the nation.
Differing of Opinions
Liberals
Conservatives
raise taxes in order to pay for government programs to help people
cut taxes to stimulate economy giving taxpayers more money to spend

8. TAXES
There were no income taxes in the United States until the 16th amendment
16th amendment: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration
Purpose of Taxes
To raise revenue (money)- Primary purpose of taxes
To protect domestic goods and businesses—tariffs
To discourage behaviors—taxes on cigarettes and alcohol
Can’t tax exports, Tariffs only on imports
Taxes can’t violate constitutional rights

9. The Money Power
Congress has the power to issue money and regulate its value
Also has the power to Borrow Money- Congress may borrow to finance its business (sells bonds/notes and pays on interests)
The Federal Government spends more than it collects
Deficit – spending more than we have
Debt – owing someone

10. The Commerce Power (Commerce Clause)
“to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes.”
Congress may regulate interstate commerce and foreign trade

11. Foreign Relations Foreign Relations Powers
the power to deal with foreign states and shares those powers with the president

12. War Powers Congress May: Declare war
Raise and support an army and navy
Make rules governing the land and naval forces
Call for the militias (National Guard)
Grant letters of marque (given to a privateer to act on behalf of a nation against another nation) and reprisal (given as an act of retaliation)

13. Additional Powers of Congress
Naturalization – power to grant citizenship
The Postal Power – establish post offices and post roads
Copyrights and Patents – grants rights over publications and inventions
Judicial Powers – power to create the federal courts below the Supreme Court

14. Implied Powers

15. Implied powers
Constitution gives Congress the right to pass any laws that are “necessary and proper” to carrying out its duties, as they are listed (expressed powers)
AKA “elastic clause” – Congress can pass any law that is reasonably related to doing its job, stretching its powers:
Examples of the Elastic clause: Establishing a Bank of the United States
Creating an air force
Establishing the IRS
defending the people, protecting their welfare.

16. Non-Legislative Powers

17. Constitutional Amendments
power to propose amendments to the Constitution by a two-thirds vote in each house
Congress may call a national convention at the request of two-thirds of the States’ legislatures to propose an amendment

18. Electoral Duties House of Representatives elects President in a tie
Senate elects Vice President in a tie