preview

The Constitutional Powers Of Congress

Decent Essays

I. The Legislative Branch a. What constitutional powers are delegated to Congress? i. Lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and exercises to pay for debts and provide defense and welfare to the U.S. ii. Borrow money on the credit of the U.S. iii. Regulate commerce with foreign nations and among states. iv. Establish laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the U.S. v. To coin money and regulate its value. vi. Fix the Standard of Weights and Measures. vii. Establish post offices viii. To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts. ix. Define and punish Piracies, felonies, and offences against the Law of Nations. x. Declare War, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning the captures made. xi. Maintain a navy and support the armies. xii. To make the rules for regulating the naval forces. xiii. Power to impeach the president xiv. Prohibit the Supreme Court from adjusting a case. b. What are the major issues that Congress has been debating over the past 6-12 months? Jobs and the economy? Gun control? Immigration Reform? Healthcare reform? College costs and student loan rates? Did congress pass any major legislation in these areas? i. Unemployment benefit: On December 28, 2013, the unemployment insurance program expired, which cut off benefits for 1.3 million unemployed Americans. In January, Senate was debating over whether those benefits should be extended for another three months. A total of 12 federal bills were proposed this year. The

Get Access