1. Powers of Congress

2. Expressed Powers: Tax and Commerce
Come from Article I Section 8
Tax- charge levied by government on persons or property to meet public needs
Limits- may not tax church services, can only tax for public purposes
Commerce- trade
Congress can regulate interstate (between the states) and foreign trade
Congress can NOT regulate trade WITHIN a state

3. Expressed Powers: Borrowing and Currency
Congress has the power to borrow money on the credit of the United States
This is how we have the National debt (Congress spends more than it makes)
National budget deficit- spend more than you make in one year; National debt (all deficits combined)
Congress has the power to coin money and regulate the value of the money

4. Other Expressed Powers
Foreign relations
Naturalization- allow people to become citizens
Regulate post offices
Copyrights and patents
Create the inferior courts

5. War Powers Only Congress may declare war
Congress has power to raise and support an army and navy (give money to)

6. Constitutional Amendments , Impeachment
Congress may propose amendments with 2/3 vote in each house
House: Writes the bills for impeachments
Senate: Holds the trials of impeachment and votes to convict or acquit
Two presidents (Clinton and Andrew Johnson) have been impeached. Both were acquitted

7. Electoral Duties
House: Elects president in case of no majority in Electoral College
Senate: Elects Vice president if no candidate gets majority in Electoral College
There is possibility of having Pres. From one party and VP from another

8. Appointments and Treaties
Senate has power to confirm appointments and nominations of the President
Cabinet, Supreme Court Justices, Federal Judges, other appointed officers
Senate has power to confirm treaties made by Congress- with 2/3 vote