1. Congress
Powers and Committees

2. Powers of Congress Expressed Powers Reserved Powers Concurrent Powers
Also called Enumerated, Delegated, Exclusive
Given to Congress in Article One
Reserved Powers
Powers kept for the States by the 10th Amendment
Concurrent Powers
Powers that the National and State gov’t share
Implied Powers
Necessary and Proper Clause
Based on Interpretation

3. Expressed Powers Commerce Power Regulate Bankruptcy
Ability to regulate interstate and foreign trade
Regulate Bankruptcy
Issue Patents/Copyrights
Eminent Domain
Given in the 5th Amendment

4. Reserved Powers 10th Amendment Education Divorce/Marriage Laws
“the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”
Education
Divorce/Marriage Laws

5. Concurrent Powers Both Federal and State Tax Make Road Borrow Money
Protect the Environment

6. Implied Powers Article 1 Clause 18 Section 8
Necessary and Proper Clause
The Congress shall have the power “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by the Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department, or officer thereof.”
Example: National Bank

7. Non Legislative Powers
Amending the Constitution
Elections
Impeachment
Executive Powers

8. Powers of the House Starts all apportionment bills
All revenue producing bills
Chooses President if no candidate wins a majority of the electoral votes
Begins Impeachment Process

9. Powers of the Senate Approves all Presidential Appointments
Approves all treaties
Acts as a jury in impeachment cases
Chief Justice serves as Judge
The Chief Justice today is John Roberts

10. Limits to Power 10th Amendment Checks and Balances
“the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”
Checks and Balances
Process by which the different branches of government are “checked up on” by the other two branches
Ensures no party is too dominant

11. Congressional Leadership
Majority Leader
Member of the majority party to be floor leader
Minority Leader
Member of the minority party to be floor leader
In charge of party operations
Are in both houses

12. House of Representatives
Steny Hoyer
John Boehner

13. Senate
Harry Reid
Mitch McConnell

14. Party Whip Keeps track of voting for important issues
Is in each house of Congress
There is a whip for each majority/minority leader

15. Speaker of the House Leader of the House of Representatives
Sets up calendar
Schedules bills for debate
Appoints representatives to special committees
Signs all bills
Becomes President if President and Vice President cannot do the job

16. Nancy Pelosi

17. Vice President Leader of the Senate Only votes when there is a tie
Is rarely present

18. President Pro Tempore Is leader in Vice President’s absence
Given to longest serving senator from majority party

19. Committees of Congress
Standing Committee
Select Committees
Joint Committees
Conference Committees
Membership is based on Seniority System

20. Standing Committees
Permanent committees who study, revise, and pass legislation
Examples:
Agriculture
Armed Services
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Veterans Affairs

21. Select Committees Also called special committees
Committees which study more temporary problems
Examples:
Aging
Ethics
Small Business
Narcotics Abuse and Control

22. Joint Committees
Committees which involve members of both houses of Congress meeting together
Examples:
Economics
Library
Printing
Taxation

23. Conference Committees
Works out a compromise bill if the bill does not pass the same way in both houses
Involves members from both houses