U.S. Government Amendments, Powers, and Congressional Roles

First Amendment

Protects religion, speech, press, assembly, petition

Tenth Amendment

Powers not given to federal gov go to states/people

Sixteenth Amendment

Allows federal income tax

Seventeenth Amendment

Direct election of U.S. Senators

23rd Amendment

D.C. gets electoral votes (max 3)

25th Amendment

Presidential succession & disability rules

Debt

Money the government owes

Citizenship

Legal membership in a country

Duty

Tax on imported goods

Subpoena

Legal order to appear or provide evidence

Excise

Tax on specific goods (gas, alcohol, tobacco)

Greenback

Paper money issued by the U.S. government

Confirmation Process

Senate approves presidential appointments

Income Tax

Tax on earnings

Legal Tender

Money that must be accepted for payment

Ratification

Formal approval (laws or amendments)

Loan

Borrowed money to be repaid

Impeachment

Formal charge against a public official

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers inferred from enumerated powers

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by states

Financial Powers of Congress

Tax, spend, borrow, coin money

Reprisal

Government-authorized retaliation

Letter of Marque

Permission to attack enemy ships (privateers)

Senate's role in Presidential Elections

Confirms VP if Electoral College ties

House's role in Presidential Elections

Chooses President if no electoral majority

Functions of the U.S. Senate

Confirm officials, ratify treaties, impeachment trials

Impeachment trials

Conducted by the Senate

Entitlement Programs

Guaranteed benefits (Social Security, Medicare)

Logrolling

Trading votes to pass legislation

Excises

Taxes on specific products

Who has war powers?

Congress

Which Presidents have been impeached?

Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump

Senate ONLY Responsibilities

Confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, holds impeachment trials, approves Supreme Court justices

House ONLY Responsibilities

Introduces revenue (tax) bills, brings impeachment charges, chooses President if no electoral majority