Congressional Powers
These powers are specifically written in the Constitution.
Expressed powers
A tax that one person pays directly to the government, like income tax.
Direct tax
These are additions to a bill that are unrelated to the main subject.
Rider
The most powerful person in Congress—runs this chamber and refers bills to committees.
Speaker of the House
Only these kinds of bills can begin in the House.
Tax bills
Congress controls this power, giving it influence over federal spending and the executive branch.
Power of the purse
These powers are reasonably inferred from the other powers.
Implied powers
When the government spends more money than it takes in and borrows the rest.
Deficit spending
The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business.
Quorum
What is the Vice President's key function in the Senate?
Break a tie
Which chamber brings charges of impeachment
House
Only Congress, not the President, can do this to officially to another country.
Declare war
Congress has these powers simply because the U.S. is a sovereign nation.
Inherent powers
Congress uses this power to regulate all interstate and foreign trade.
Commerce power
Senators attempt to “talk a bill to death” using this tactic.
Filibuster
This Senate leader presides when the VP is absent (most of the time).
President Pro Tempore
Which chamber sits as jury during impeachment
Senate
The Senate must approve these major presidential choices, including judges and cabinet members.
Appointments
This clause gives Congress permission to “make all laws necessary and proper” to execute its powers.
Necessary & Proper clause
The total amount of money the U.S. government owes from years of borrowing.
National debt
This Senate rule requires 60 votes to end a filibuster.
Cloture
These leaders help “steer” legislation for their political party in each chamber.
Floor leaders
The Senate must approve these agreements made by the President with foreign nations.
Treaties
Congress can create these courts, which have authority below the Supreme Court.
Inferior courts
Congress may not pass laws that make an act a crime after it was committed.
Ex post facto laws
This power allows Congress to create a uniform system for distributing property if a person or business cannot pay debts.
Bankruptcy power
A committee with members of both chambers that resolves differences in bill versions.
Conference committee
These party officials try to organize votes and persuade members to vote with the party.
Whips
If no Vice Presidential candidate gets a majority of electoral votes, this chamber chooses the VP.
Senate
To override a presidential veto, Congress must achieve this vote threshold in both houses.
2/3 vote in both houses