PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The constitution describes the legislative powers of congress in article 1 section 8 clauses 1-18. These expresses powers of congress
Because of the far reaching implications of expanding powers of congress the Supreme Court has often been the site of conflict over what is necessary.
The powers of congress like those of the other branches of the national government are limited
Congress has both legislative and non legislative powers include the power to to confirm or deny presidential appointments.
Sometimes called the called the power of the purse the power to levy taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States is among the most important powers of congress.
In addition to levying taxes and authorizing that money be spent article 1 allows congress to borrow to help pay for the cost of government. Congress does this in various ways. The most common method is authorizing the sale of gov saving bonds
In this clause the founders provided what has become one of the most sweeping powers of government.
The landmark decisions on this subject came in Gibbons vs Ogden (1824). The state of New York had granted Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston the exclusive right.
A Georgia motel owner immediately attacked the law claiming that the motel was a local business. It was therefore not part of interstate commerce and the law should not apply.
Congress have important powers in the areas of foreign policy and national defense. Chief among these are the power to approve treaties to declare war to create and maintain an army and make navy to make rules and governing.
The constitution also grants congress power over naturalization the process by which immigrants to the United States may become citizens.
A copyright is the exclusive right to publish and sell literary musical or artistic work for a specified period of time under the present law this period is the lifetime of the creator plus 50 years
In carrying out their legislative powers both the house and the senate perform the same basic task considering amending and voting on bills. While most non legislative functions of congress require cooperation between the houses each house usually plays a different role in exercising these powers.
The constitutions equites a joint session of Congress to the count the electoral college votes. If no candidate for president has a majority of the electoral votes the houses chooses the president from three candidates with the most electoral votes.
The senate has the power to approve presidential power appointments of federal officials. Because most of these appointments involve the promotion of military officers senate action is usually only a formality.
In 1980 many senators opposed the strategic arms limitation talks treaty between the united and the Soviet Union. This opposition prevented a vote and the treaty was not ratified.
Congress shares with state legislatures the power to propose amendments. Amendments may be proposed by two thirds vote of both houses or by a convention called by the legislatures of two thirds of state.
