U.S. Government and Civics / Unit 6: Congress
6.3 Powers of Congress
Notes
Article I, Section 8 lists Congress's enumerated powers, followed by the necessary and proper clause.
- Lay and collect taxes, borrow money, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, coin money, set rules for naturalization, establish post offices, declare war, raise and support armies and a navy, create lower federal courts.
- House only: all revenue (tax) bills must start in the House; the House impeaches (charges) officials by majority vote; it chooses the president if no candidate wins an Electoral College majority.
- Senate only: confirms presidential appointments by majority vote; ratifies treaties by a two-thirds vote; holds impeachment trials, where two-thirds is needed to convict and remove; chooses the vice president if no candidate wins an electoral majority.
- Both houses must pass the same bill for it to become law.
Practice
A senator introduces a bill to raise the income tax. What is the problem?
Article I, Section 7 requires revenue bills to originate in the House.
The president signs a treaty with another country. What must happen next for it to take effect?
The Senate ratifies treaties with a two-thirds vote.
Which power belongs to the House alone?
The House impeaches; the Senate tries the case.
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