Congressional Powers

Announcements:
READING: 309-325 in Edwards

UNIT TWO IDENTIFICATION TERMS
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Today's Essential Question: How do the enumerated and implied powers of Congress impact the policymaking process?


Learning Standards:

• CON-3.A: Describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress.
• CON-3.A.4: The enumerated and implied powers in the Constitution allow the creation of public policy by Congress, which includes:
  • Passing a federal budget, raising revenue, and coining money, declaring war and maintaining the armed forces
  • Enacting legislation that addresses a wide range of economic, environmental, and social issues based on the Necessary and Proper Clause

Congressional Powers
Most of the powers of Congress are found in Article 1, Section 8. Today we will classify the various powers of Congress and review/define several terms associated with Congressional powers.

1. DEFINE: 

• enumerated (expressed) powers
• implied powers
• necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)

2. APPLY 

For each of the following, decide first if Congress has the power (either enumerated or implied). If they do have the power, is it enumerated or implied? What specific clause gives them that power? Remember, all implied powers still have to be connected to an enumerated power.

1. prohibit sending weapons through the mail
2. establish the Federal Reserve System (national bank system)
3. institute a draft
4. nominate a judge
5. place a tax on alcohol
6. establish a minimum wage
7. create the IRS
8. fire the Secretary of Defense
9. issue US savings bonds
10. ban discrimination in the workplace
11. grant citizenship to "Dreamers"
12. create a 40 hour work week

CLASSIFY: Create a 4 box grid (or other organizational chart like 4 columns) and classify the enumerated powers of Congress according to the following categories:

• economic
• military/foreign
• other (ex. weights & measures)
• non-legislative (ex. impeachment)

You should have a minimum of 3-4 items for each category.

Additional Readings & Videos:
Congressional Power (ThisNation.com)
Powers of Congress (USHistory.org)
Explanation of Enumerated Powers (Constitution Center)

Federalism: National vs. State Power

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Homework for Wednesday: Read 58-68 in Edwards.

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Learning Objectives:

CON-2.A: Explain how societal needs affect the constitutional allocation of power between the
national and state governments.

CON-2.A.1: The exclusive and concurrent powers of the national and state governments help
explain the negotiations over the balance of power between the two levels.

CON-2.B.1: The interpretation of the Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments, the commerce
clause, the necessary and proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is
at the heart of the debate over the balance of power between the national and state governments

Questions to Consider:
1. What decisions (policy) should be exclusively left to the national government? What decisions (policy) should be exclusively left to the states?

2. How does the Constitution distribute power between the national and state governments? Think about certain clauses, amendments, etc.

Reading: Khan Academy--The relationship between the states and the federal government

Check for understanding: Analyze each scenario and determine which power (Expressed/Delegated, Implied, Inherent, Concurrent, or Reserved) is being used.

__________________ 1. A worker pays federal and state income taxes.

__________________ 2. The United States declares war on Japan.

__________________ 3. A lawyer who wants to practice in Texas must first pass the state's bar exam.

__________________ 4. Toys containing lead are banned from the United States.

__________________ 5. Racial segregation in hotels and restaurants is prohibited by the federal government.

__________________ 6. President Jefferson makes the Louisiana Purchase.

__________________ 7. Missouri decided to set aside 500 acres for a new wildlife reservation.

__________________ 8. Hawaii became a state in 1959.

__________________ 9. A person must be at least 18 to marry without parental consent in Illinois.

__________________ 10. After Hurricane Katrina, the US and Louisiana issue bonds to help pay for the rebuilding of New Orleans.

Videos for Review:

Annotating the Constitution

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Homework: Read 46-54 in Edwards (online)

Essential Terms Retake Quiz Thursday before/after school or during 4th study session

Register for the AP Exam: Must be registered and paid for all AP exams by October 1st!
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Learning Objectives:

LOR-1.A: Explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

LOR-1.A.2: The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Jefferson with help from Adams and Franklin, provides a foundation
for popular sovereignty, while the U.S. Constitution drafted at the Philadelphia convention led by George Washington, with
important contributions from Madison, Hamilton, and members of the “grand committee,” provides the blueprint for a unique
form of political democracy in the U.S.

CON-2.B.1: The interpretation of the Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments, the commerce clause, the necessary and
proper clause, and other enumerated and implied powers is at the heart of the debate over the balance of power between
the national and state governments.

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Annotating the Constitution

Today we are going to look at the Constitution, exploring the meaning and impact of specific Articles and clauses. As we read and annotate, think about weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how the new document addresses those problems. Also, look for examples of key constitutional principles (limited government, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism) and how they are incorporated into the document.

Please use your pocket constitution or make a copy of the Constitution and highlight/annotate as we walk through this document.

Videos for Review