Simone Lawson
The United States Congress, established under the 1789 Constitution, is the central law-making body of the US government. It consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Constitution grants Congress three key powers: the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers. These powers are outlined in Article I of the Constitution, which establishes the Legislative Branch, and the eighteen enumerated powers are listed in Section 8 of Article I. The Founding Fathers explicitly stated these powers to solidify that the government's power derives from the people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legislative Powers | Vested in the Congress of the United States, which consists of a Senate and House of Representatives |
| Power of the Purse | Controls the money used to fund any executive actions |
| Impeachment | The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment |
| Congressional Oversight | The power to investigate and oversee the executive branch |
| Declaration of War | The power to declare war, raise and support armies, and make rules for the military |
| Control of State Laws | Can control all state laws that lay duties on imports or exports |
| Choosing Electors | Can determine the time of choosing the Electors of the Electoral College |
| Proposing Amendments | Can propose amendments to the Constitution and specify ratification |
| Choosing the President or Vice President | The Twelfth Amendment gives Congress the power to choose the president or vice president if no one receives a majority of Electoral College votes |
| Enacting Legislation | Can enact legislation to enforce the rights of all citizens regardless of race |
| Approving Treaties | The Senate has the power to approve treaties made by the executive branch |
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What You'll Learn
The power to make laws
Congress, as one of the three coequal branches of the US government, is vested with significant powers by the Constitution. The legislative branch, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate, is the central law-making body of the US government.
Article I, Section I of the Constitution explicitly states that "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives". This means that Congress is the only part of the government with the authority to make new laws or change existing ones. The Constitution grants Congress eighteen enumerated powers, which are laid out in Article I, Section 8. These include the power to:
- Tax and spend for the general welfare and common defence
- Borrow money
- Regulate commerce with states, other nations, and Native American tribes
- Establish citizenship naturalization laws and bankruptcy laws
- Coin money
- Declare war
- Raise and support armies
Congress's power to make laws is, however, subject to checks and balances by the other branches of government. The President, for example, may veto bills passed by Congress, although Congress can override this veto with a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court also plays a role in interpreting and ruling on the constitutionality of laws created by Congress.
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The power to declare war
The United States Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, established under the Constitution of 1789. It is structurally separate from the executive and judicial branches of government.
Congress has the power to declare war. This is one of the powers laid out in the Constitution, which also grants Congress the authority to raise and support armies, make laws, and levy and collect taxes to fund these activities. The Constitution is a protected document that has been interpreted since its writing.
Congress can also raise and support armies, and its power to levy and collect taxes helps fund these activities. The House of Representatives is made up of elected members, divided among the states in proportion to their total population. The Senate, on the other hand, has two senators representing each state, regardless of its size.
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The power to tax and spend
Congress, as one of the three branches of the US government, is vested with significant powers by the Constitution. All legislative power in the government is held by Congress, which is the only body with the authority to make new laws or change existing ones. The Constitution grants Congress the power to tax and spend for the general welfare and common defence. This includes the ability to lay and collect taxes, borrow money on the credit of the United States, and regulate commerce.
Congress's authority to tax and spend is outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which enumerates the powers of Congress. This section includes the Necessary and Proper Clause, which grants Congress the ability to create laws necessary and proper for executing its powers. The power to tax and spend is a key tool for Congress to influence economic and social policies, as well as address national priorities and emergencies.
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The power to borrow money
The United States Congress is the central law-making body of the US government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is one of three branches of the US government, alongside the executive and judicial branches.
This power is significant as it enables the federal government to raise funds for various purposes, including infrastructure projects, economic development, and national defense. It also allows the government to manage its cash flow and ensure sufficient liquidity to maintain its operations.
It is worth noting that while Congress has the power to borrow money, it also has the power to tax and spend for the general welfare and common defense. These powers work together to allow Congress to manage the country's finances, stimulate the economy, and address budgetary needs.
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The power to regulate commerce
Congress, as one of the three coequal branches of the US government, is vested with significant powers by the Constitution. These include the power to regulate commerce, which is outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and further detailed in Clause 18, also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Through this power, Congress can establish standards, regulations, and policies that govern various aspects of commerce, such as interstate trade, tariffs, and consumer protection. For example, Congress can pass laws to prevent unfair trade practices, ensure product safety, and promote free and fair competition. It can also regulate industries such as banking, transportation, and telecommunications, ensuring that they operate in the best interests of the country and its citizens.
Additionally, the power to regulate commerce allows Congress to address issues related to international trade, including the imposition of tariffs, the negotiation of trade agreements, and the establishment of import and export policies. This aspect of the power is particularly important in today's globalized world, where international trade plays a significant role in the US economy.
The Necessary and Proper Clause, as part of the power to regulate commerce, grants Congress the authority to create any laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers. This clause ensures that Congress has the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and address new challenges and issues that may arise in the realm of commerce and economic policy.
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Frequently asked questions
The three powers of Congress are legislative, executive, and judicial.
The legislative power of Congress is the power to make laws. Congress is the central law-making body of the United States and is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing laws.
The executive power of Congress includes the power to lay and collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, and raise and support armies.
The judicial power of Congress includes the power to confirm or reject Presidential appointments, shape the judiciary, and impeach and try members of the federal judiciary.
