Expressed Powers of Congress

1
Chapter 11

• Section 2

2
Expressed Powers of Congress

• Most are found in Article I, Section 8 of the
  Constitution.
• 27 different powers are given in 18 separate
  clauses.

3
Power to Tax

• The Articles of Confederation didnt allow for
  the government to tax.
• The Constitution allowed the government to tax
  which they do today.
• A tax is a charge levied by the government to
  meet public needs.
• Not all taxes are to make money, some are for our
  protection.

4
Power to Tax

• There are limits on the power to tax (religious,
  poll tax)
• Congress may only tax for public purposes.
• May not tax exports.
• Direct taxes must be apportioned among the
  States.
• Indirect taxes must be levied the same way
  throughout the United States.

5
Borrowing Power

• The government can borrow money on the credit of
  the United States.
• We practice deficit financing where we spend more
  than we take in and borrow the difference.
• That creates a large public debt.

6
Commerce Power

• This gives Congress the power to regulate trade.
• In Gibbons v. Odgen the power of the national
  government was expanded.
• The Commerce Power has included many things
  including the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

7
Currency Power

• Congress has the power to coin money.
• Congress created a uniform money system.
• Congress also has the power to set up bankruptcy.