1. The Scope of Congressional Powers

2. Powers of Congress
Expressed Implied Inherent

3. Constructionists Strict Constructionists- led by Thomas Jefferson
Insisted Congress should only exercise
Its expressed powers
Implied powers which are absolutely necessary
“that government is best which governs least”

5. Constructionists
Liberal Constructionists- led by Alexander Hamilton Favored a liberal interpretation of the Constitution “an energetic government” They won a victory that has set a pattern for our nation

7. Taxes
Tax- a charge levied by government on persons or property to meet public needs Direct tax-paid by the person on whom it is imposed Indirect tax- one paid by one person then passed on to another- cigarette tax

11. The Deficit
Deficit financing- the government spends more than it brings in

13. The Public Debt
The debt is all the money borrowed by the government over the years and not yet repaid, plus the accumulated interest on that money In 2003 the debt was over 6 trillion

16. Commerce & Currency Power
Commerce- Congress has the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade Congress cannot tax exports or favor ports Gibbons v Ogden- commerce is not just traffic but also intercourse Case set the stage for Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Paper legal tender was first introduced in 1884

17. Bankruptcy Power
Bankruptcy is the legal proceeding which distributes the assets to those whom the debt is owed Frees the bankrupt from responsibility for debts acquired before bankruptcy Foreclosure- when a lender attempts to recover the balance of an unpaid loan by selling the asset used as collateral on the loan-usually a home

21. Other Expressed Powers
Foreign Relations War Powers Naturalization Postal Power Copyrights and patents Weights and Measures Power over territories-eminent domain-power to take private property for public use Judicial Powers

23. Non-Legislative Powers
Amendments-propose- 2/3 vote in each house House chooses a president if no candidate receives a majority of the Electoral College votes-Jefferson and John Quincy Adams Senate chooses a VP in same circumstance Congress approves a successor for VP also

24. 270 needed to win

25. Impeachment
Andrew Johnson Bill Clinton Richard Nixon- Watergate

26. Executive & Investigatory
Confirm Presidential appointments Ratify treaties Committees investigate any matter which falls within the scope of their legislative powers