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Delegated powers

Powers solely given to Congress

Expressed powers

Powers given to Congress by the Constitution

Commerce power

Congress' ability to regulate foreign and interstate trade

Power to tax

Congress' authority to levy taxes for national welfare

Limits on taxing power

Restrictions on Congress' power to tax, ensuring constitutional compliance

Borrowing power

Congress' authority to borrow money for the United States

Bankruptcy power

Congress' ability to establish bankruptcy laws nationwide

Currency power

Congress' authority to coin money and regulate its value

Copyrights and patents

Congress' power to protect authors' and inventors' exclusive rights

Postal powers

Congress' authority to establish post offices and postal routes

Territories

Congress' power to acquire, manage, and dispose of federal territories

Eminent domain

Congress' power to take private property for public use with just compensation

Weights and measures

Congress' power to set standards for weight and measure

Naturalization

Congress' authority to establish rules for granting citizenship

War Powers

Congress' authority over war-related matters and national defense

War Powers Resolution

Limits on the executive's ability to commit military forces without congressional approval

Necessary and proper clause

Congress' authority to make laws essential for executing its powers

Liberal versus strict construction

Debate between broad and narrow interpretations of congressional power

Executive powers

Powers granted to the executive branch, including appointments

Appointments

Major presidential nominations requiring Senate confirmation

Treaties

Agreements made by the president with Senate approval

Impeachment

Process to remove officials for serious offenses

Impeachment Process

House impeaches, Senate tries, requires 2/3 vote for conviction

Bill Clinton Impeachment

Unsuccessful attempt due to disagreements over reconstruction

Richard Nixon Impeachment

Impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice in 1998

Censure

Formal condemnation of behavior of a president or official

Subpoena

Legal order to appear and produce evidence

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer and leader of the majority party

Standing Committees

Committees where similar bills are considered

Committee of the Whole

All members of Congress acting as a single committee

Conference Committee

Temporary joint body to reconcile bill differences

Majority Leader

Floor leader of the majority party in Congress

Minority Leader

Floor leader of the minority party in Congress

Party Whip

Assistant floor leaders who ensure party member votes

President of the Senate

Vice President presiding over the Senate

Pigeonholed

Bills buried and ignored in committee

Filibuster

Tactic to delay or prevent Senate action on a bill

Cloture Rule

Rule to limit debate in the Senate

Veto

Presidential refusal to sign a bill, overridden by 2/3 vote

Pocket Veto

If Congress adjourns within 10 days, bill dies without signature