II.

Powers of Congress

Congress has no general legislative power such as is enjoyed by the British Parliament, and to a lesser degree by the legislatures of the American states; it has only such functions and authority as are expressly conferred on it by the Constitution or are implied in the Constitution. Many of the express powers are defined in Article I, Section 8. Among these are the power “to lay and collect taxes”, “borrow money on the credit of the United States”, “regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States”, “coin money”, “establish post offices”, “declare war”, “raise and support armies”, and “make all laws” necessary for the execution of its own powers and “all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States”. This section also empowers Congress to administer the District of Columbia, which contains the seat of the federal government. Other express powers are conferred on Congress in other articles of the Constitution. Among the implied powers of Congress is the right to establish legislative machinery to give effect to its express powers.

In most respects the two houses of Congress have an equal role in the enactment of legislation, but a number of functions are reserved by the Constitution to each house. The confirmation of presidential appointments, by a simple majority of those voting, and the consent to treaties, by a two-thirds majority of those voting, is reserved to the Senate. The Senate also has “the sole power to try all impeachments”, which, however, may be initiated only by the House of Representatives. Only the House may initiate revenue bills.