Powers of CongressPowers of Congress

Powers of Congress continuedPowers of Congress continued

Congress has the power to declare warCongress has the power to declare war

Congress also deals with rules of Congress also deals with rules of naturalization. naturalization. Naturalization Naturalization is the is the process of someone of a particular country process of someone of a particular country becoming a citizen of another countrybecoming a citizen of another country

Congress controls the postal system and Congress controls the postal system and all laws pertaining to it.all laws pertaining to it.

Congress PowersCongress Powers

Congress also deals with copyrights and Congress also deals with copyrights and patentspatents

A A copyright copyright is the exclusive right of an is the exclusive right of an author to reproduce, publish, or sell his or author to reproduce, publish, or sell his or her own work.her own work.

Copyrights are good for an author’s life, Copyrights are good for an author’s life, plus 70 years.plus 70 years.

Chapter 11Chapter 11

You would get a copyright on such You would get a copyright on such materials as books, music, magazines, materials as books, music, magazines, paintings, maps, sculptures, movies, etc.paintings, maps, sculptures, movies, etc.

A A patentpatent grants a person sole right to grants a person sole right to manufacture, use or sell any machine or manufacture, use or sell any machine or composition of matter. E.g. inventionscomposition of matter. E.g. inventions

A patent is good for 20 yearsA patent is good for 20 years

Chapter 11Chapter 11

Eminent Domain is the inherent power to Eminent Domain is the inherent power to take property (private property) for public take property (private property) for public use.use.

The Necessary and Proper Clause gives The Necessary and Proper Clause gives Congress the power to do anything Congress the power to do anything necessary in relation to the duties of necessary in relation to the duties of CongressCongress

Necessary and Proper ClauseNecessary and Proper Clause

This Clause was used in 1790 by This Clause was used in 1790 by Alexander Hamilton who wanted to set up Alexander Hamilton who wanted to set up a National Bank. Through this clause a National Bank. Through this clause Hamilton said it was “Necessary to the Hamilton said it was “Necessary to the powers of taxing, borrowing, commerce, powers of taxing, borrowing, commerce, and currency.”and currency.”

Another name for this clause is the Another name for this clause is the Elastic Elastic ClauseClause

Chapter 11Chapter 11

Expressed PowersExpressed Powers are powers that are are powers that are very specific in the Constitution. Ex. very specific in the Constitution. Ex. Commerce, currency, etc.Commerce, currency, etc.

Implied Powers Implied Powers are not specific in theare not specific in the Constitution, but can be reasonably drawn Constitution, but can be reasonably drawn from the expressed powers.from the expressed powers.

Powers of Congress… Elect a Powers of Congress… Elect a President ????President ????

Sometimes Congress is called on to elect Sometimes Congress is called on to elect a President. If no candidate receives a a President. If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes for the majority of the electoral votes for the Presidency, the House must then choose Presidency, the House must then choose from the 3 highest candidates. Each state from the 3 highest candidates. Each state gets one vote to cast. The Senate may gets one vote to cast. The Senate may have to choose a Vice President under have to choose a Vice President under similar circumstances.similar circumstances.

Powers of CongressPowers of Congress

The House has only had to choose the The House has only had to choose the President twice. Thomas Jefferson in 1801 President twice. Thomas Jefferson in 1801 and John Quincy Adams in 1825. and John Quincy Adams in 1825.

The Senate chose Richard Johnson as The Senate chose Richard Johnson as Vice President in 1837.Vice President in 1837.