distribution of power within congress

Question 1

powers given to congress in the constitution

Answer 1

● The majority of powers given to Congress are in Article 1 of the constitution; including its power to pass legislation, declare war and the necessary and proper/elastic clause.
● Article 2 also gives Congress the power to overturn a Presidential veto with supermajorities in both houses.
● Article 5 also sets out how Congress can propose a constitutional amendment.
● Some of the amendments to the constitution have also increased the power of Congress,
including the 16th Amendment which gave it the power to pass laws that levy income taxes.

Question 2

exclusive powers of the senate

Answer 2

● To try an impeachment case. A 2⁄3 majority is required to convict, which is why no President has never been convicted.
○ Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives but never convicted in the Senate.
● To ratify treaties.
○ Again, this requires a 2⁄3 majority.
● To elect the Vice president if no candidate has over 50% of the electoral college votes.
● To confirm executive appointments including Supreme Court justices and cabinet members.

Question 3

exclusive powers of the hor

Answer 3

● To impeach the President or any other federal official. This is when they want to bring formal charges against a public official when there is enough evidence of ‘Treason, Bribery or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours’.
○ Clinton was impeached in 1998 and Trump has been impeached twice.
● To initiate revenue-raising bills, which must pass through the House of Representatives
first.
○ This was influenced by the fact that the Senate was the only elected chamber when
the Constitition was drawn up.
● To elect the President if no candidate has over 50% of the electoral college votes.
○ This is when both parties get 269 Electoral College Votes and has happened in 1800 and 1824.

Question 4

concurrent powers shared by both houses

Answer 4

● To pass legislation; all bills have to pass through both the Senate and House of Representatives.
● To override Presidential vetoes; with 2⁄3 majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
● To declare war.
● If the office of the Vice President becomes vacant, a majority in both the Senate and House
of Representatives is needed to confirm the President’s new appointment.
● To initiate constitutional amendments.