# data[].attributes.body
Congress only has powers that are granted to them by the constitution.
Large area powers denied -
* In so many words of constitution
* By constitution silence on many matters
* The constitution creates a federal system

# data[].attributes.body
Expressed powers can be found within the constitution, and within it are 27 powers given to Congress. Although it may be brief, it tells Congress what they can and can not do. One example would be the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce.

# data[].attributes.body
The commerce power is the power of Congress in which they are allowed to regulate foreign trade and interstate. Was a highlight in for the creation of the greatest open market in the world.
4 limits from the constitution -
1. Can not tax exports
2. Must be fair with trade, no favorites
3. Can not require people to pay a tax to trade at a port
4. Slave trade could not be interrupted (until 1808)

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks to Article I, Section 8,Clause 1, the Congress has the power to tax. A tax is a charge that the government makes people pay so that way there is enough money raised for public needs. Taxes also help the government to pay for things like new roads, public health and safety.

# data[].attributes.body
Congress has the power to borrow money on the credit to the United States. There are no constitutional limits as to how much money they can borrow, and there is no restrictions on the purposes of borrowing.

# data[].attributes.body
Congress has the power in which they can coin money and set the value for the money. This means that they can decide what money is worth and also how it can be used/the currency exchange to U.S.dollars.

# data[].attributes.body
Citizens of one country become citizens of another through the process of "naturalization". This gives congress the elusive power to establish a rule of naturalization.

# data[].attributes.body
Congress has the power to produce Post Offices and Postal roads which allow for the power to provide for mail carrying and postal routes. It is among the oldest of all governmental functions and dates back to Egyptian practice before 4000 B.C.

# data[].attributes.body
Congress is capable of determining if we go to war and is able to raise and support armies, maintain the navy and send out military forces. Of the 27 expressed powers, 6 have to deal with giving Congress the power to decide on war.

# data[].attributes.body
Although some things Congress does are not written in the constitution, what they have on their side are the necessary and proper clauses. What these are, are powers that allow Congress to do an action that they see may be necessary/right and needed although the constitution says nothing about it. Many had argued for some time about the meaning of the elastic clause, and when this first came into place, the constitution had just newly been made. There were 2 groups
1. Strict Constructionists led by Thomas Jefferson - Argued that Congress should have the power to exercise its expressed powers as well as only use implied powers when necessary
2. Liberal Constructionists led by Alexander Hamilton - Led the fight to adopt the constitution.

# data[].attributes.body
Congress is given the power to get into (snoop) or inform itself of anything that is talked about or falls within the scope of lawmaking authority. House and the Senate exercise this power through the options of standing committee and subcommittee's (sometimes special committees too). They are held so that way both houses can :
* Gather info necessary for legislation
* Oversee the operations of agencies within the executive branch
* Focus public attention on a public matter
* Expose questions about some particular activities of a public official
* Promote interest of some members of Congress

# data[].attributes.body
All major appointments that the President makes must be confirmed by the Senate by majority vote. Each of the presidents nominations is refereed to the appropriate standing committee of the Senate. The President makes treaties with the advice and the consent of the Senate, and provided that 2/3rd of the Senate is present. The Senate may accept or reject a treaty as it stands or may decide to offer amendments, reservations, or understandings to it.

# data[].attributes.body
The Constitution provides that the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the U.S. may be removed from office with impeachment for, and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes. One president that had been impeached was Bill Clinton. He was impeached in 1998 due to having an inappropriate relationship with a White House intern. 1st charge was for perjury for lying under oath, and the second charge accused him of obstruction of justice because he held information.

# data[].attributes.body
Article V (5) says that Congress can propose Amendments to the constitution as long as there is a 2/3rd vote in each of the houses. Article V also provides that Congress can call a national convention of delegates from each of the states to propose an amendment. The Constitution also gives electoral duties to Congress. But, they can only be exercised in very unusual circumstances. The house may be called on to vote for the president if the runner ups do not receive 260 electoral votes. Senate must choose the Vice President if there are not enough majority electoral votes.