1. Describe the Legislative Branch in 5 sentences
Examples of how to start your paragraph:
The Legislative branch is broke into two houses….
The Legislative branch is the law making….
The United States government is broken into three branches. The legislative branch….
You should describe 1. which branch of government it is 2. How many houses it has 3. Describe each house (how many people are in them, what do they do, what determines their size) 4. How the people are involved with the Legislative Branch

2. Congress has a lot of influence over life in the United States
Congresses decisions affect our nation’s society and economy
It is important for every citizen to understand what powers Congress has as well as how they use them

3. Expressed Powers Where are the powers of Congress listed?
The Constitution (mostly Article I section 8)
Define expressed powers
Powers that the U.S. Congress has that is specifically listed in the Constitution
What is an example of an expressed power?
Congress ability to coin money
Declare War
Regulate foreign and interstate commerce
Establish laws of naturalization

4. Implied Powers What are Implied powers?
Power that Congress has that is not stated explicitly in the Constitution
What is the source of these powers?
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18-Congress has the power to do whatever is necessary and proper to carry out its expressed powers
Define Elastic Clause
Clause in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its expressed powers
Examples of Implied Powers:
Lay and collect taxes IMPLIES the power to support public schools, public housing, etc
Raise and support an army IMPLIES the right to hold a draft

5. Most of Congress’s powers are relate to making laws
Many lawmaking powers fall into three major categories; money, commerce, and military and foreign policy
Congress has the power to raise and spend money

6. How does congress raise money? What else can Congress do?
They require people to pay taxes and they have the power to print money
What else can Congress do?
They can regulate or manage commerce that takes place across state lines (commerce is the business of buying and selling goods and services
Declare war
Create and maintain armed forces

7. The Constitution also gives Congress the power to create a postal service and a federal court system
Congress has the power to set up the government of Washington D.C

8. The most important duty of Congress is to legislate
What does legislate mean?-to make laws
What are nonlegislative powers?
Duties Congress holds besides lawmaking

9. Nonlegislative Powers
1.Congress can suggest amendments
2.Can check other branches of government
3.Can approve or reject the president’s nominees for various offices
4. The House has the power to impeach (accuse government officials of misconduct)
5.Senate holds a trial of the official to see if they are guilty or innocent
6. Who can congress remove from office? Any federal official involved in serous wrong doing

10. What document/documents explain the limits of Congress?
The Constitution explains not only what Congress may do but also what it may not do
Some limits are imposed by the Bill of Rights, Article I, and other branches of government
What document/documents explain the limits of Congress?
The Constitution
The bill of Rights
Article 1 section 9
Rights of state governments

11. Limits on Congress: Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution
Congress may not favor one state over another
Congress may not tax interstate commerce
Forbids Congress from passing laws that would hurt legal rights of people
Congress cannot block writ of habeas corpus, no ex Post Facto laws

12. Limits on Congress: Powers for the State Government
Congress cannot interfere with the powers that the Constitution gave to the state
Ex. Congress cannot regulate public schools

13. Limits on Congress: Other Branches of Government
Other branches of government have the power to check Congress
The Supreme Court can declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional
President can veto bills passed by Congress

14. Limits from the Bill of Rights
Congress may not pass laws that take away citizens rights from the Bill of Rights
Examples:May not pass laws that restrict freedom of speech or religion