POWERS OF CONGRESS NOTES

STRUCTURE

A. Bicameral Congress

STRUCTURE

1. House of Representativesa. Number of members?

-- 435b. Term of Office?

-- 2 year terms

STRUCTURE

1. House of Representatives

c. Speaker of the House-presiding officer of the House, chosen by and from the majority party in the House

John Boehner- Ohio (R)

STRUCTURE

1. Senatea. Number of members?

-- 100b. Term of office?

-- 6 year terms

STRUCTURE

1. Senatec. President of the Senate- Vice President of the

United Statesd. President Pro Tempore- member of the Senate

that presides in the absence of the President of the Senate

e. Majority Floor Leader- in charge of scheduling daily legislative agenda (what bills will be discussed and voted on and when)

PROCEDURES

A. Necessary and Proper Clause- (Elastic Clause) Constitutional clause that gives Congress the power to make laws which helps in executing its powers

B. Bills must be passed by both houses of Congress before it is sent to the President

PROCEDURES

C. Revenue Bills- focus on methods for raising money (taxes and tariffs). Must originate in the House of Representatives

D. Filibuster- tactic used in the Senate to delay cloture (time limit) during the open debate process.

ECONOMIC POWERS

1. TAX- pass income tax, excise tax, import tax or tariffs

2. BUDGET- approves borrowing and spending money (power of the purse)

3. REGULATE TRADE- between states and U.S. and other nations

ECONOMIC POWERS

4. COIN MONEY- create money system and approve printing of money

5. ESTABLISH BANKRUPTCY LAWS- determines who can declare bankruptcy and regulations for bankruptcy filings

CITIZENSHIP POWERS

1. IMMIGRATION LAWS- determines who can legally live in the U.S.

CITIZENSHIP POWERS

2. NATURALIZATION LAWS- determines the process of becoming a citizen

a. Jus Soli- citizen if born on U.S. soilb. Jus Sanguinis- citizen of born to an American

parentc. Naturalization- born elsewhere and moved to the

U.S.

CITIZENSHIP POWERS

3. EXPATRIATION LAWS- determines how one can lose citizenship (only for naturalized citizens)

JUDICIAL POWERS

1. IMPEACHMENT OF FEDERAL OFFICIALS-remove federal officials from office

2. INCREASE/DECREASE SIZE AND/OR NUMBER OF FEDERAL JUDGES/COURTS

JUDICIAL POWERS

3. DEFINE FEDERAL CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS- determines what is a federal crime and punishments for these crimes

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND WAR POWERS

1. RATIFY TREATIES- approves treaties with other nations (President signs)

2. ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT MILITARY-- create new branch of military-- send money to support troops-- determine number of military bases

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND WAR POWERS

3. DECLARE WAR- however, President sends troops

4. GOVERN CAPTURED LANDS AND TERRITORIES- can create rules for these lands

ELECTORAL POWERS

1. SELECT PRESIDENT WHEN NO MAJORITY IN ELECTORAL COLLEGE- House of Representatives votes

2. APPROVES VICE PRESIDENT NOMINEE WHEN THERE IS VACANCY- President nominates

ELECTORAL POWERS

3. CONFIRMS PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS-approves cabinet positions, judicial appointments, and other administrative nominations

OTHER POWERS

1. Create Post Office2. Create weights and measurements system3. Create copyright and patent system4. Investigate federal matters

OTHER POWERS

5. Participate in Constitutional Amendment process

6. Enabling Acts-- help territories become states-- have final say in territories becoming states