US Congress Powers and Limitations

Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government has its own powers and can operate independently without any oversight.

• One branch of government holds all the power, while the other branches serve advisory roles.

• Each branch of government has the ability to limit or check the powers of the other branches to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful.

• Checks and balances refer to the financial auditing system that keeps track of government spending.

America’s first written constitution. It Intentionally included limitations on government, but hindered the smooth functioning of the nation’s government

• Declaration of independence

• Constitution

• Articles of Confederation

Who has the ability to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

• Voters of the United States

• President

• U.S. Supreme Court

• U.S. Congress

___________ is the power of Congress to accuse an official of wrongdoing

Which kind of Congressional powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution?

• Implied

• Concurrent

• Delegated

• Expressed

What is the meaning of the Necessary and Proper Clause?

• Congress' ability to make laws is severely limited by the Constitution

• Congress is given limited ability to interpret reserved powers

• Congress must follow a concrete interpretation of the Constitution

• Congress can make any law that it deems appropriate to carry out its expressed powers

Which of the following is a power exclusive to the US Congress?

• Declaring war

• Appointing Supreme Court Justices

• Granting pardons

• Conducting foreign diplomacy

What is the primary function of the US Congress?

• To interpret laws

• To enforce laws

• To make laws

• To adjudicate legal disputes

Which clause in the US Constitution allows Congress to pass laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers?

• Commerce Clause

• Supremacy Clause

• Necessary and Proper Clause

• Equal Protection Clause

What is the term for the powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments?

• Exclusive powers

• Reserved powers

• Concurrent powers

• Implied powers