Congress Packet Readings: Pages 320-346 Study guide on Powers of Congress Assignments: Due September 16, 2010 Notes Worksheet #3 Test: September 16, 2010 Notes Fill out the chart Total Number and number from Arizona Length of term House of Representatives Senate Official Requirements 2. The U.S. has a legislature meaning it has two parts. Name another country with this type of legislature. Define the following terms: a. Reapportionment
b. Gerrymandering c. Incumbent d. Expressed powers e. Implied powers 4. Describe what happened in Ogden v. Gibons. 5. What is the difference between a U.S. Senator from Arizona and a member of the Arizona Senate?
Powers of Congress Study Guide The powers of Congress are basically legislative (enactment of laws) and include the following: I. Economic Role of Congress: A. The power to tax. Congress can enact income, excise and import taxes. Congress passes and the President collects (IRS). 1. Income taxes 2. Excise taxes are taxes placed upon certain goods such as tires, alcohol and cigarettes. 3. Import taxes or tariffs are taxes upon goods brought in from other countries. B. The power to approve the borrowing (sell bonds) and spending of money. The budget approval process. The President requests, and Congress approves. C. The power to regulate trade 1. Between states (interstate and intrastate) 2. Between the U.S. and other nations (international). D. The power to coin money (approval the printing of money and establish of a money system). Congress authorizes the President prints. E. The power to establish bankruptcy laws. Concurrent with states. II. The Citizenship Role: A. Immigration means to move permanently to a nation. This would include refugees coming to the country. B. Naturalization involves becoming a citizen of a nation. 1. Jus Soli (soil) - Born in U.S. = a citizen. 2. Jus Sanguinis (blood) - Born of American parents = a citizen. 3. Naturalized- born elsewhere and moved to America and go through the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. C. Expatriation is loss of one s citizenship. It can only happen to naturalized citizen. III. Judicial Role of Congress A. The power of removing federal officials from office through the impeachment process. B. The power to approve justices to the Supreme Court and various other inferior federal courts. C. The power to define federal crimes and punishments.
IV. Foreign Relations and War Role A. The powers to approve or reject treaties with other nations. (President writes and negotiates treaties) B. Congress has the power to declare war. (President sends troops) C. Congress can pass laws to establish and support military forces. They could also end the existence of a military branch. D. Congress can establish rules for governing captured lands V. The Electoral Role of Congress: A. Congress, through the House of Representatives, selects a president when no one candidate receives a majority in the electoral college. B. Congress (Senate) approves the replacement for Vice President when a vacancy occurs between elections. The president nominates and Congress approves. C. Congress (Senate) approves presidential appointments to administrative and judicial positions. VI. Other Roles of Congress: A. Establish a post office. B. Establish a weights and measurement system. C. Establish a copyright and patent system. D. Pass enabling acts to help territories become states. Congress makes the final decision regarding an area wanting to become a state. E. Congress can investigate federal matters and subpoena witnesses to testify. F. Congress can participate in Constitutional amendments process. G. Necessary and Proper Clause
Powers of Congress Act #3 Name For each of the following situations, identify which power of Congress, if any, is involved and explain why. Economic Power Judicial Power Electoral Power Citizenship Foreign Relations and War Powers Other Powers 1. Because of the conflict in the Persian Gulf, and several attacks by Iran on the U.S. fleet in the Gulf, war is declared on Iran. 2. Because of the oil problems in Texas, the Federal Government has decided to change the requirements on who can file for bankruptcy. 3. Because of several reported cases of bribes being accepted by Mr. I.X. Bribe, a federal judge, charges are brought against the judge. 4. Last Monday in New York City, there were over $30 million worth of treasury bonds sold to the public. 5. Because of its importance to world peace, the U.S. now has a treaty with Russia that requires both sides to reduce the number and size of their nuclear weapons. 6. Last year as in many other years, a few hundred naturalized citizens lose their citizenship because of federal crimes committed. 7. There is a proposal before the U.S. government to re-start the making of $20 gold pieces. 8. Just last week, Mario Sljivic was turned down as the next Supreme Court member. 9. Just recently, the U.S. passed a law requiring all children, of American parents, who are born overseas to pass a citizenship test. 10. Because of a close electoral vote in 1801, Thomas Jefferson was chosen to be President of the U.S. by a means other than Population.
11. When Spiro Agnew resigned as Richard Nixon s Vice President, a new Vice President had to be selected and approved. 12. Because of the amount of Top Secret information that has been given to the Soviets, a new law has been passed that sets a minimum sentenced of twenty years for anyone convicted of espionage. 13. Because of the conflict in the Iraq War, the military draft has been reinstated for men and women between the ages of 18 and 25. 14. Since the Tylenol poisonings, the Federal Government had required all health related products that are shipped between states to have safety seals placed under all lids. 15. Because of the huge deficit in the national budget caused by the war, the government has decided to raise taxes by 5 %. 16. Because of the large growth in the Southwest, and in particular Phoenix, an additional Federal District Court has been established in East Phoenix. 17. Vice-President Lindsey Schmitz was recently removed from office for his involvement in selling information to a foreign country. 18. Because of the stock market crash in October of 1987, the Federal Government has decided to reduce the deficit by $25 billion. 19. In 1974 Gerald Ford became President after Richard Nixon s resignation. In that same year Gerald Ford named Nelson Rockefeller his Vice President. Rockefeller was approved within a very short period of time. 20. Just recently a new law was passed that allows illegal aliens who have resided in the U.S. for five continuous years, and who can prove that they have a job, the right to become U.S. citizens.