Congressional Powers
Congressional powers are the authority that the Constitution gives to Congress. They include making laws, raising and spending money, regulating trade, declaring war, confirming officials, and investigating and impeaching officers of the government.
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All Articles on Congressional Powers
The Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution
In Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, the Commerce Clause states that Congress shall have power "to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and…
How Congress Can Fire a President
The United States Constitution provides a powerful tool for holding the nation's most senior officials accountable: impeachment. Impeachment is not the removal of an…
The Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution
A single sentence buried at the end of Article I, Section 8, the Necessary and Proper Clause grants Congress the power "to make all…
How Congress Controls America’s Wallet
In the machinery of the United States government, no power is more fundamental than the "power of the purse." This is the constitutional bedrock…
What’s a Regulation vs. a Law: A Guide to How Government Rules Work
The terms "law" and "regulation" are sometimes used interchangeably in ways that lead to significant misunderstanding. While both indicate what individuals, businesses, and government…
Congressional Gold Medal: America’s Highest Honor
The Congressional Gold Medal represents the highest civilian award that Congress can bestow. Since 1776, only 184 of these unique gold medals have been…
How the Chair of the Federal Reserve is Selected
The Chair of the Federal Reserve arguably wields more economic power than any other single person. Their decisions ripple from Wall Street trading floors…
A Recent History of Government Shutdowns in America
A government shutdown represents one of the most dramatic failures of American democracy. It happens when the most fundamental responsibility of Congress—funding the government's…
What is a Continuing Resolution?
Known as a "CR," the continuing resolution is a temporary spending bill that keeps federal agencies running when Congress hasn't approved their regular annual…
Who Wins and Loses When America Raises Tariffs?
Tariffs can protect American producers while raising costs for consumers, manufacturers and exporters. The gains depend on who sells, buys and pays.