congressional powers jigsaw notes
TRANSCRIPT
Congressional Powers Jigsaw Notes
Delegated Powers Article I, Section 8 lists the powers delegated to Congress. 5 categories
1) Financing Government Power to finance federal government. Authority to raise and collect taxes, borrow money, and
print and coin money.2) Regulating and Encouraging American Trade and Industry
Pass laws to protect rights of inventors Regulates trade with foreign countries and within the
states3)Defending the Country Power to declare war
Power to maintain armed forces4) Creating Lower Courts Congress set up system of national courts to uphold laws
passed.5) Providing for Growth Regulates immigration and naturalization
Power to govern country’s territories Power to admit new states
Implied Powers Power “to make laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.”
Can do anything “necessary and proper” related to delegated powers
Ex: establishing academies to train armed forces Allows Congress to stretch delegated power- ELASTIC
CLAUSEImpeachment Powers Power to impeach federal officials charged with serious
crimes and bring them to trial. Impeach= to accuse an officeholder of misconduct. Officials are removed if found guilty Treason= act that betrays or endangers one’s country.
Impeachment Process Charges drawn up in the House of Reps If majority votes in favor of list of charges the official is
impeached Trial is held in the Senate Senate becomes a court VP acts as judge Chief Justice of Supreme Court if President is being
accused 2/3rds of Senate must find official guilty to be dismissed
from offices.
Two Presidents have been impeached
Andrew Johnson- not guilty Bill Clinton- not guilty
Special Powers
House of Reps
The House starts all bills for raising revenue House has sole power to impeach public officials House chooses president if no candidate has received
enough electoral votesSpecial Powers
Senate
All impeachment trials must be held in the Senate. Chooses VP if not VP candidate gets enough electoral
votes All treaties, or written agreements must be approved
2/3rds vote in Senate. Presidential appointments must be approved by the
Senate 2/3rds vote.
Limits on Powers- Congress can not
Passing ex post facto laws Pass bills of attainder- laws that sentences people to
prison without trial Suspend writ of habeas corpus-remove right of court
order, requiring a person be brought to trial to determine there is enough evidence to hold them
Taxing exports Pass laws that violate Bill of Rights Favoring trade of a state Granting titles of nobility Withdrawing money without a law