Ch. 7 Lesson 2

  Article 1 Section 8: Expressed powers or enumerated powers: powers specifically given to Congress  Coin Money  Article 1 Section 8 Clause 18: Implied powers: Not stated directly in the Constitution but are understood to be granted.  Necessary and Proper Clause  Elastic Clause: allows Congress to stretch its poiwers to meet new needs Powers

  3 Major Categories  1. Money: Raise, spend, pay taxes & print money  2. Commerce: regulate trade across state lines  Buying and selling of goods and services  3. Military & Foreign Affairs  War, defense, foreign policy issues  Create & maintain armed forces  Declare war  Other Categories:  Postal Service & Federal Court System Lawmaking

  Amendments  Approve/reject presidential appts  SC Justices, ambassadors etc  Impeach officials accused of misconduct  Majority vote of HoR to charge with impeachment  Senate holds trial & acts as jury: 2/3 vote to convict  Andrew Johnson 1868  Bill Clinton 1998 Nonlegislative Powers

  Art 1 Sect 9: prevents Congress from abusing power  May not tax exports; tax interstate commerce or favor any state  Can’t violate rights of citizens  Writ of Habeas Corpus: exception in times of rebellion or invasions  Bill of attainder- law that allows punishment before trail by jury  Ex post-facto: getting punished before you committed a crime  Can’t regulate public schools Limits on Power

  S.C. can declare laws unconstitutional  Exec veto- can be overridden by Congress with 2/3 vote of both the HoR and Senate Checks and Balances

  Qualifications and Staffing:  Senate: must be 30 y/o, live in state, US citizen for at least 9 years  HoR: must be 25 y/o, live in state, US citizen for at least 7 years  Make-up:  Mixture of lawyers, doctors, farmers ex-military or athletes  Make 174,000 per year; life & health insurance  Franking Privilege: Job related mail sent for free  Have immunity- but not free to break the law How Congress Works

  Every member of Congress has an office in DC and in the state they represent  Each office must be staffed  Staff is responsible for gathering information on issues that affect the constituents in the area they represent  Also gather information about bills that are going to be voted on in Congress Congressional Staff

  Franking privilege: staff sends political mail for free  Deal with reporters and lobbyists  Lobbyists: people who rep interest groups  Draft Bills Congressional Staff

  MAKE LAWS!!!  Also, Casework from people in their districts  Increases chance get reelected  Able to see how Exec is handling fed programs  Way to help people deal with Exec  Pork-barrel projects: when lawmakers use national funds for projects exclusive to their individual districts Congress at Work

  ‘Earmarks’ are extra wording added to bills to provide funds for projects they favor  Only goes through if both houses Congress at Work