Unit 4: Congress 5

Question 1

The power to tax

Answer 1

• Only Congress has the power to create and collect taxes
• To lay and collect taxes, duties, imports, and exercises to pay debts to provide for the common defense and the general welfare for the United States
• The purpose is to pay for: public goods and services, regulating the economy, redistribuing income

Question 2

Types of Taxes

3 types

Answer 2

• Income tax
• Protective Tariffs
• Health and Saftey Taxed

Question 3

Income Tax

Types of Taxes

Answer 3

• Tax on the money a person makes. Legalized by the 16th amendment
• Most of the taxes that we experience
• DECLARE ALL THE MONEY YOU MADE, if you stole money you should still declare it. Winning the lottery, etc.

Question 4

Protective Tariffs

Types of Taxes

Answer 4

• Tax on important goods. Makes domestic products cheaper
• Make prices from your own country cheaper, keeping Americans at work and having a profitable economy

Question 5

Health and Safety Taxes

Types of Taxes

Answer 5

• Taxes on tobacco, liquorm health inspections, manufacturing license, etc.
• Encourages posititve behavior and discourages negative behavior
• They use the money from these taxes on bad items to promote things like no smoking commercials

Question 6

Tax limitations

3 limitations

Answer 6

• Taxes only for public purpose, not private gains
• May not tax exports (made in America but sold to another country are NOT taxed)
• May not be used punitively or in a discriminatory manner

Question 7

The power to borrow

Answer 7

• Congress has the power to “borrow money on the credit of the United States”
• They borrow money by selling bonds, the Constitution allows them to do this too. the USA has a credit system just like we do
• There is no Constitutional limit on how much money can be borrowed, or what it’s for
• THE REASON ITS IN THE CONSTITUTION, is if there is war or natural distaters like a hurricane

Question 8

Commerce Power

Answer 8

• The power to regulate interstate and foreign trade
• Congress can set a minimum wage, because you are going to buy and sell things, so Congress has the right to oversee it
• ANYTHING THAT INVOLVES BUYING AND SELLING (working at a place that sells stuff, farmers, etc.)

Question 9

Currency Power

Answer 9

• Congress has the power to create currency
• Need to regulate how much money is printed so that the value of the dollar does not drastically change
• Providing a uniform, stable currency

Question 10

Bankruptcy Power

Answer 10

• Congress has the power to “establish uniform laws on the subject of Bankruptcies through the United States
• This is to protect the person going bankrupt and the person they are in debt too

Question 11

War Powers

Answer 11

• Only Congress has the power to declare war
• The President is the only one who can send the army places, and he can do it whenever he wants. BUT Congress controls all the money so it needs to be a true colaboration

Question 12

Naturalization

Answer 12

• Makes rules for immigrants who wish to become citizens

Question 13

Postal Power

Answer 13

• Establishes post offices and is responsible for overseeing them

Question 14

Copyrights and Patents

Answer 14

• Congress has the power to secure the rights to intellectual property through the issuing of copyrights and patents
• Copyrights are for creating works are registered with the Copyright Office at the Library for Congress, they are typically good for 70 years
• Patents give an inventor the sole right to manufactyre and sell products, YOU are the only person allowed to sell this for 20 years (can be extended and shortened: Generic Medication)

Question 15

Weights and Measures

Answer 15

Congress has thee power to set the standards for gauges of time, area, weight, etc.

Question 16

Power over Territories

Answer 16

• Congress has the power to acquire and manage federal areas, such as Washington D.C. Also includes national parks, federal prisons, and military bases

Question 17

Eminent Domain

Answer 17

• Congress oversees the government acquiring private property for public use
• Protected by the 5th Amendment Congress MUST provide fair compensation
• MUST COMPENSATEEEEE

Question 18

Judicial Powers

Answer 18

• Important check on the judicial branch, Congress has the power to create Federal courts below the Supreme Court
• Congress has the power to approve all Federal judges and Presidential cabinet appointment
• Congress has the expressed power over the cries of counterfetiting, piracy, and treason, and implied power over many more

Question 19

Impeachment

Answer 19

• House has the SOLE power to impeach: to accuse and bring charges
• The Senate has the power to try impeachment cases. if it is the President on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supremem Court presides, otherwise the Senate acts as the jury
• Requires a 2/3 majority vote. If Impeached they are removed from their government position, to await trial for a punishment