Powers of Congress

Legislative Branch

Let's Review

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What are Congress's

Expressed Powers?

• Congress has 27 total listed powers in the Constitution.

• Also referred to as "enumerated" powers (listed).

• There are certain areas Congress explicitly has the power to make laws about.

• Hover over each icon to read about the different areas Congress has power over.

Common Good & Consistencey

Money

Military

As Needed

Business

Washington D.C.

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Congress's Expressed Powers

PART 1

• Make a copy of THIS Google Worksheet.
• On the next page, you will find various laws that Congress has passed throughout history.

• You will read or listen to information about each one and answer questions at the end of each reading on your Google Worksheet.

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The Enumerated Legislative Powers of Congress

Powers of Congress

Postal Savings System Act

Immigration & Nationality Act

Uniform Time Act

1911

1966

1965

- Click on each plus signs to read about different laws passed by Congress using their enumerated powers. - Click on the images to enlarge them. - After each short reading, answer the question on your Google Worksheet.

Civil Rights Act

War Powers Resolution

1964

1973

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The Enumerated Legislative Powers of Congress

Powers of Congress

National Minimum Drinking Age Act

District of Columbia Home Rule Act

Taxpayer Relief Act

1984

1973

1997

Copyright Act

Budget Control Act

Coinage Act

1976

1965

2011

Return

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You have completed part 1! Take a break and come back for part 2 later

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Congress's Expressed Powers

PART 2

In part 2 of this assignment, you will do two things: 1. Read the text from the Constitution about the power granted to Congress. Write it in your own words in the "what does it mean?" column. 2. Look back at the 11 laws you evaluated in Part 1. List which law(s) show Congress using the powers outlined in Part 2.

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The Enumerated Legislative Powers of Congress

Powers of Congress

Postal Savings System Act

Immigration & Nationality Act

Uniform Time Act

1911

1966

1965

- Revisit each law. - Identify which power of Congress this law would fit under. - Complete Part 2 of your Google Workseet.

Civil Rights Act

War Powers Resolution

1964

1973

Next

The Enumerated Legislative Powers of Congress

Powers of Congress

National Minimum Drinking Age Act

District of Columbia Home Rule Act

Taxpayer Relief Act

1984

1973

1997

Copyright Act

Budget Control Act

Coinage Act

1976

1965

2011

Return

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Making Connections

Scan QR Code or click link for audio of the text. Click on the text to enlarge it.

1. On your Google Worksheet: If your community could vote on opting out of Daylight Saving Time, how would you vote? Explain using one fact from the text and one personal reason.

10. The text states that D.C. has a non-voting member of the House. What is the difference between having a non-voting member and a regular voting member of Congress? Why do many D.C. residents still feel this is not enough and continue to push for statehood?

3. Do you think the immigration “lottery” is a fair system? Why or why not?

6. How do retirement savings (like Roth IRAs) and education savings (like 529 plans) both serve the “common good”? Do you think one is more important than the other?

4. In the Heart of Atlanta Motel case, the Court used a “living Constitutionalist” approach. Do you think the Constitution should be interpreted based on the Framers’ intent or on the principles of today’s society? Defend your answer.

8. The text mentions two specific events that led to Congress acting on the drinking age: the ratification of the 26th Amendment and an increase in traffic fatalities. Explain in your own words how these two seemingly unrelated events ultimately led to the creation of the political will for Congress to pass the National Minimum Drinking Age Act.

2. Imagine Congress is debating whether to keep or repeal the War Powers Resolution today. Which side would you support, and why?

7. The U.S. government sometimes spends more money than it brings in, so it has to borrow money. To keep borrowing, Congress has to raise the “debt ceiling,” which is the legal limit on how much debt the government can take on. Some people believe Congress should always raise the debt ceiling so the U.S. can pay its bills on time. Others believe Congress should refuse to raise it unless government spending is reduced. Which side do you agree with more, and why?

9. The text notes that some US paper money, like the $20, $50, and $100 bills, is updated regularly, but the $1 bill has not changed since 1963. Based on the information provided, why do you think these bigger bills are updated, but the $1 bill is not?

11. The text refers to the 1998 law as the "Mickey Mouse Act." Based on the passage, what was the reason this law was created, and who benefited the most from it? How does this example show that a company or a special interest group can influence what laws get passed?

5. Other countries, such as Canada and South Korea, already use postal banking. Do you think the U.S. should follow their example, or are there reasons it wouldn’t work here?

Scan QR Code or click link for audio of the text. Click on the text to enlarge it.

Military

Which power might this law fall under? Hover over icons for more info.

Which power might this law fall under? Hover over icons for more info.

Which power might this law fall under? Hover over icons for more info.

Which power might this law fall under? Hover over icons for more info.

Which power might this law fall under? Hover over icons for more info.

Remember you can click on the text to enlarge the reading.