SS THURSDAY

Congress:

Legislative powers of congress:

Make laws; A bill can be introduced in house or senate, tax bills must originate in the house. Bills must be passed by both houses of Congress. The constitution says bills are passed with a simple majority, but the Senate has imposed its own rule that a bill must pass with 60 votes. A bill can be vetoed by the president, but that veto can be overwritten with a 2/3 vote from both houses of Congress.

None Legislative powers of Congress:

• Senate can ratify treaties 2/3 vote

• Senate can approve presidential appointments (1/2)

• Impeachment

Congress can impeach members of executive and judicial. The house files charges ( simple majority ), then the senate holds the trial and can convict, if they are convicted then they will be removed, to convict u need a 2/3 vote in the senate.

• Declaring war ( 2/3 of both houses)

• Proposing constitutional amendments 2/3 of both houses ¾ of states must approve the amendment to add to the constitution.

• Choosing president in a tie ( house of reps decides )

Military powers of congress;

• Declaring war ( 2/3 of both houses)

• Funding the military

• Oversight of President’s military actions, they can see war powers act under limits on the president.

• Making rules for military

Congress declared war:

• War of 1812

• Mexican-American war

• Spanish American war

• World War I

• World War II.