Congressional Powers Types of Powers Legislative or NonLegislative

Types of Powers • Legislative or Non-Legislative • Expressed or Implied • Investigative •

Constitutional Powers Founding Fathers intended for Congress to play the central role in government.

Constitutional Powers “Expressed Powers” (also called “Enumerated Powers”) “Implied Powers” (from the “Necessary and

Powers Denied to Congress • Cannot violate Bill of Rights • Cannot suspend “writ

Legislative Powers Taxing and Spending Power – Power to levy taxes – Provide for

Legislative Powers • Power to borrow money • Power to coin money • Power

Legislative Powers • Power to regulate interstate commerce – Banking – Air transportation –

Moreton Rolleston Jr. , owner of the Heart of Atlanta

Legislative Powers Foreign Policy Powers • Create and maintain military • Approve treaties •

Non-Legislative Powers • Power to choose the President (if no one gets a majority

Investigation Power Can investigate: • Situations and events • People • Members of Congress

Oversight Power • This is the authority to continually review how effectively the Executive

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Congressional Powers

Types of Powers • Legislative or Non-Legislative • Expressed or Implied • Investigative • Oversight

Constitutional Powers Founding Fathers intended for Congress to play the central role in government.

Constitutional Powers “Expressed Powers” (also called “Enumerated Powers”) “Implied Powers” (from the “Necessary and Proper Clause”) See page 159 in your textbook.

Constitutional Powers

Powers Denied to Congress • Cannot violate Bill of Rights • Cannot suspend “writ of habeas corpus” (get out of jail to go to court) • Cannot pass “bills of attainder” (if convicted, can take freedom and all of your possessions) • Cannot pass ex post facto laws (retroactive laws)

Legislative Powers Taxing and Spending Power – Power to levy taxes – Provide for general welfare of nation Remember: All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives

Legislative Powers • Power to borrow money • Power to coin money • Power to regulate foreign commerce

Legislative Powers • Power to regulate interstate commerce – Banking – Air transportation – Water pollution – Minimum Wage issues – Civil Rights issues

Legislative Powers • Power to regulate interstate commerce – Banking – Air transportation – Water pollution – Minimum Wage issues – Civil Rights issues Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U. S.

Moreton Rolleston Jr. , owner of the Heart of Atlanta

Legislative Powers Foreign Policy Powers • Create and maintain military • Approve treaties • Declare war

Non-Legislative Powers • Power to choose the President (if no one gets a majority of the Electoral College) • Power to replace the President and VP (Presidential disability or resignation) • • Power of impeachment (President and judges) Power of confirmation (appointees) Power of ratification (treaties) Power to amend the Constitution

Investigation Power Can investigate: • Situations and events • People • Members of Congress can act much like a court.

Oversight Power • This is the authority to continually review how effectively the Executive Branch is carrying out the laws passed by Congress. • Reality: Oversight is uneven because politics become involved.