Legislative Powers

War Powers Resolution

President must report to Congress within 48 hours if they commit troops without declaration of war; President must remove committed troops after 60-90 days unless they get Congress consent

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly written in the Constitution

War Powers Resolution

President must report to Congress within 48 hours if they commit troops without declaration of war; President must remove committed troops after 60-90 days unless they get Congress consent

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly written in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers suggested by expressed powers in the Constitution

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Allows the Constitution to stretch so that there are Implied Powers

Inherent Powers

Powers that a country exercises because it is a sovereign nation

Tax & Spending Power

Power to tax citizens and use money on government programs; Income taxes; put a tax on narcotics to protect citizens

Borrowing Power

Power to borrow money to pay off country's taxes; Bonds

Currency Power

Power to coin money and regulate it's value

Bankruptcy Power

Legal proceedings to administer the assets of a person or business that cannot pay its debts

Commerce Power

Regulate foreign and interstate commerce (buying and selling)

Foreign Policy Power

Powers to approve treaties, declare war, create and maintain an army and navy, make rules governing land and naval forces and regulate foreign commerce

Naturalization Power

Power to create process by which immigrants become citizens

Territories Power

Power to admit new states and govern any territories

Copyrights and Patents Power

Exclusive right to publish and sell literary, musical or artistic work for a specified period of time; Exclusive right of an inventor to manufacture, use and sell his or her invention for a specific period

Postal Power

Power to establish post offices and postal roads; combat criminal activity such as using mail for any illegal act

Judicial Power

Power to establish federal courts and judicial circuits

Electoral Power

Congress required to hold joint session to count Electoral College votes for a new president

Removal Power

Power to remove any federal official from office; impeachment (formal accusation of misconduct in office)

Confirmation Power

Senate must approve presidential appointments to office

Ratification Power

Senate must ratify formal treaties with other nations

Amendment Power

Power to propose amendments to the Constitution

Investigatory Power

A standing or select committee may conduct investigations

Legislative Oversight Power

Power to review executive branch activities on an ongoing basis

Legislative Powers

Powers related to passing laws

Non-Legislative Powers

Other powers that Congress has not related to passing laws

Powers denied Congress

Slave trade, Habeas Corpus (you have to be told why you're being held in jail), Bills of Attainder (can't be punished without jury trial), No Ex Post Facto Law (no act can be made a crime after act committed), No taxes on exports, Congress can't favor one region over another, No titles of nobility