What are the Legislative Powers of Congress?
The legislative powers of the United States Congress are outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. Congress has the authority to make laws in the following areas:
Taxation: Congress has the power to collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.
Borrowing: Congress has the power to borrow money on behalf of the United States.
Commerce: Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with Indian tribes.
Naturalization and immigration: Congress has the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization and regulate immigration.
Coining money and regulating its value: Congress has the power to coin money, regulate its value, and fix the standard of weights and measures.
Post offices and post roads: Congress has the power to establish post offices and post roads.
Patents and copyrights: Congress has the power to promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.
Bankruptcy: Congress has the power to establish uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States.
Declare war: Congress has the power to declare war, raise and support armies, provide and maintain a navy, and make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces.
Necessary and proper clause: Congress has the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by the Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
In addition to these enumerated powers, Congress also has implied powers that are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers. Congress can also investigate and oversee the operations of the executive branch and the federal government as a whole.