1. Congressional Powers
Objective 3.2 expanded

2. The Writers of the Constitution
Believed in the principle of limited government.

3. The Writers of the Constitution
Placed clear limits on the powers of Congress.

4. The Writers of the Constitution
Had restrictions that would determine what Congress could or could not do.

5. Expressed Powers (Delegated)
Powers listed specifically in Article I of the Constitution.

6. Expressed Powers
Collect taxes
Borrow money

7. Expressed Powers
Regulate foreign trade and interstate trade (commerce)

8. Expressed Powers
Set up a Postal System

9. Expressed Powers
Maintain Armed Services
Declare War

10. Expressed Powers
Regulate Immigration and Naturalization

11. Implied Powers Those powers not stated explicitly in the Constitution.
These powers come from the necessary and proper clause, often called the elastic clause. (Article I, Sec. 8, Clause 18)

12. Implied Powers
The necessary and proper clause is called “elastic” because it allows Congress to stretch its authority to carry out its expressed powers.
(Ex: CIA)

13. Nonlegislative Powers
These powers help the government to operate more effectively and to help Congress serve as a check on the other branches of government.

14. Nonlegislative Powers
Power to propose amendments to the Constitution.

15. Nonlegislative Powers
Power to Investigate
The information gathered can be used in drafting and evaluating legislation.

16. Power to Investigate
Can be used to review the activities of the executive branch to find out whether the government is administering the laws efficiently.

17. Power to Impeach Power to accuse a government official of wrongdoing.
To put them on trial.
To remove them from office.

18. The Impeachment Process Begins in the House of Representatives

19. Steps to Impeachment A list of charges are drawn up.
If a majority of members agree with the charges, the Senate then has the power to act as a jury. (2/3 vote required to convict and remove from office)

20. Special Powers House of Representatives
Power to begin impeachment proceedings.
Power to choose the President if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College.

21. Special Powers House of Representatives
Power to introduce tax bills and appropriations bills, bills that involve money.

22. Special Powers of the Senate
The power to vote on money bills that were introduced in the House.
The power to act as a jury in an impeachment trial.

23. Special Powers of the Senate
Ratify treaties with other nations. (Although the President may sign a treaty, it is not binding unless a two-thirds vote in the Senate ratifies it.)
Power to approve or reject the President’s appointments of certain high officials.

24. Limits to Congressional Power
Congress may not favor one state over another.
Congress can’t enact laws that would interfere with the legal rights of individuals.

25. Limits to Congressional Power
Congress can’t tax interstate commerce or exports.
tax

26. Limits to Congressional Power
Congress can’t interfere with powers reserved for the state.

27. Limits to Congressional Power
Congress may not pass bills of attainder. (a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court)

28. Limits to Congressional Power
Congress may not pass 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)

29. Limits to Congressional Power
Congress can’t suspend the writ of habeas corpus. ( a court order that guarantees a person who is arrested the right to appear before a judge in a court of law)