Essential Questions of Constitutional and State Law THE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Slide 2
Article One of the United States Constitution deals
specifically with the powers of the Congress and the limits on its
powers. It is the largest section of the Constitution, since most
of the Founding Fathers believed that the Congress should hold the
most sway over our nations government. HOW DOES THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES DEFINE AND LIMIT LEGISLATIVE POWER?
Slide 3
Every ten years, the United States conducts a count of the
population of the country. As a result of the census, demographic
data is collected and the Congressional districts are redrawn every
decade to make certain representation is as equitable as possible.
HOW DOES THE CENSUS INFLUENCE CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION?
Slide 4
Special interest groups and lobbyists are able to gain access
to members of Congress to make their arguments in person. They may
raise money to advertise for or against candidates; therefore,
candidates must be responsive to certain groups if they want to be
re-elected and stay in office. HOW DO INTEREST GROUPS INFLUENCE THE
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS?
Slide 5
Laws are passed by the United States Congress. An act must be
introduced by a congressional representative, pass through the
committee process, receive a majority vote in both the House of
Representatives and the Senate, and then be signed into law by the
President. There are a host of more subtle details that can
undermine the lawmaking process. HOW ARE LAWS PASSED?
Slide 6
The Congress can override a Presidential veto with a two-thirds
majority vote. The Congress has the power to impeach both the
President and sitting members of the Supreme Court for high crimes
and misdemeanors. It also must approve any Presidential
appointments to high office, the Supreme Court, or to embassies.
HOW DOES THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH PARTICIPATE IN THE SYSTEM OF CHECKS
AND BALANCES?
Slide 7
To collect and lay taxes of many varieties. To borrow money for
the United States government. To regulate trade, both interstate
and foreign. To create rules for naturalization of foreign
nationals. To coin money. To punish criminals who produce
counterfeit money. To establish postal services. To give patents to
scientists and artists. To create courts lower than the Supreme
Court wherever necessary. POWERS GRANTED TO THE CONGRESS BY THE
CONSTITUTION:
Slide 8
To punish pirates and other crimes committed on the high seas.
To declare war and take both prisoners of war and territory. To
raise money to support armies for two years at a time. To provide
and maintain a navy. To make rules for the military. To call up the
state militias or National Guard today to protect the nation or put
down insurrections. To organize, arm, and discipline the militia
while leaving certain key responsibilities to the states. To rule
exclusively over Washington, D.C. To make all laws deemed necessary
and proper. POWERS GRANTED TO THE LEGISLATURE BY THE
CONSTITUTION:
Slide 9
Not allowed to end the international slave trade before the
year 1808. Not allowed to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in
other words, you have a right to a trial. No ex post facto laws can
be created; in other words, you cant make something illegal and
then press charges against people who committed the crime before
the law was passed. No direct taxes would be imposed on individuals
but this was reversed when the 16 th Amendment allowed an income
tax to be collected. No taxes would be laid on exports like timber,
rice, cotton, tobacco, or the like. POWERS DENIED TO THE CONGRESS
BY THE CONSTITUTION:
Slide 10
No port should be given special preferences by the National
Government over the others to promote trade. Only Congress can
appropriate the expenditure of money. No titles of nobility will be
granted by the United States government. POWERS DENIED TO THE
CONGRESS BY THE CONSTITUTION: