Powers of Congress

House of representatives only

House of representatives only

-Begins considerations of money bills

-power of impeachment (formal accusation)

-appoints president in deadlock

Senate only

-Confirming appointments (judiciary, senior executives)

-Ratifying treaties with 2/3 majority votes (e.g. Strategic Arms reduction 2010)

-power to try impeachments with a 2/3s majority vote

-appoints VP in deadlock

Law making

All bills must pass through all stages in both houses

Overseeing the executive branch

occurs mainly in committee rooms and select committees

Overriding the presidents veto

requires a 2/3s majority e.g. George W. Bush’s veto of the water resources development bill

Initiating constitutional amendments

2/3s majority vote

confirming an appointed Vice president

25th amendment allows both houses to confirm (VP only confirmed if vacancy)

Declaring War

both houses must concur however hasn’t been used since 1942

Electing president and vice president if electoral college is deadlocked

this happened in 1800 (Thomas Jefferson) and 1824