Powers of Congress - Section 8
Congress has the power to :
- levy taxes
- borrow money by issuing bonds
- regulate trade - more specifically international trade and interstate commerce
- make bankruptcy and naturalization laws
- establish the national currency
- punish for counterfeiting
- set up the mail system
- pass copyright and patent laws - to encourage creativity and invention
- create a federal court system
- declare war
- raise an Army - Congress sets aside funds for the military and regulates the armed forces
- maintain a Navy
- call up and regulate militias - training is left to the states, under federal guidelines
- control federal property
- call up and regulate militias - training is left to the states, under federal guidelines
- control federal property
The Elastic Clause - Section 8, Clause 18
Also known as the "necessary and proper" clause.
It gives Congress the flexibility to pass laws to carry out its functions and deal with new problems as they arise.
It gives Congress the flexibility to pass laws to carry out its functions and deal with new problems as they arise.
Limits to the power of Congress - Section 9
Congress cannot:
issue issue a title of Nobility: Title of Prince, etc.
make Bill of Attainder: declare a person/group guilty of crime
pass Ex Post Facto Law: change the rule of evidence
suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus: suspend giving prisoners the\ right to challenge their imprisonment in court
issue issue a title of Nobility: Title of Prince, etc.
make Bill of Attainder: declare a person/group guilty of crime
pass Ex Post Facto Law: change the rule of evidence
suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus: suspend giving prisoners the\ right to challenge their imprisonment in court
Limits to the States power - Section 10
The states cannot:
exercise certain powers granted to Congress or the president - Includes: negotiating treaties with foreign nations, and creating their own money
may not tax imports or maintain armies without the approval of Congress
exercise certain powers granted to Congress or the president - Includes: negotiating treaties with foreign nations, and creating their own money
may not tax imports or maintain armies without the approval of Congress