The Powers of CongressArticle I, Section 8

The Powers of Congress Expressed Implied Inherent

Expressed powers of Congress The power to tax Limits

Can’t tax religious groups (1st amendment) No poll taxes (24th amendment) Can’t tax exports Must be for public benefit 16th amendment made the income tax legal Income tax is progressive

Income tax rates - 2007Taxable income Marginal tax rate

0-$7,824 10%

$7,825-31,850 15%

$31,851-77,100 25%

$77,101-160,850 28%

$160,851-349,700 33%

Over $349,700 35%

Expressed powers of Congress The power to borrow**

Unlike most state constitutions, the federal constitution does not require a balanced budget

Every year since 1957, Congress has appropriated (spent) more money than it collects in taxes

This year’s deficit is projected to be $1.2 trillion The accumulated national debt is almost $11

trillion **We will look at this power more closely

Expressed powers of Congress Commerce power Currency power Power to create bankruptcy laws Foreign relations/war powers Naturalization Power to create courts Power to define federal crimes

Expressed powers of Congress Postal power! Copyrights and patents Eminent domain Weights and measures

Implied powers of Congress Currency Create a national bank War Draft soldiers Commerce Enact minimum wage laws Anything “necessary and proper”!

A few more powers of Congress Settle a tied election Impeachment Confirm appointments Ratify treaties Investigate!

September 11 attacks Global warming Branch Davidian disaster Iran-Contra affair