Congress needs your help to reduce the national debt.

The Problem Debt Clock Debt Clock II

You need a book. Get a regular government book

off the shelf if you don’t have yours.

What will I learn today?• I can identify the basic powers of Congress.

• I can explain the difference between a strict and liberal interpretation of the Constitutional powers of Congress.

• I can apply the powers of Congress to help pay down the national debt.

Article I, Section 8

Strict Versus Liberal Construction

Strict Constructionists• Strict constructionists

•Led by Thomas Jefferson.•Believed the Constitution should be taken literally.•If it says the government can do it, they can, if it doesn’t, they can’t.

Liberal Constructionists• Liberal

constructionists•Led by Alexander Hamilton.•Favored a broad interpretation of the Constitution.•Additional powers could be interpreted from the Constitution.

Which side have we followed?

Money Powers1. Power to tax

Direct – Income

Indirect – gas, cigarettes

2. Power to borrow – government bonds

3. Commerce Power – regulate trade

Cannot tax exports, favor certain ports over others, or charge vessels fees to enter states

4. Currency Power

5. Bankruptcy Power – establish laws for declaring bankruptcy

Federal Spending

Foreign Policy and War Powers

1. Declare War2. Raise and Support an army3. Provide and maintain a navy4. Senate must approve of all treaties

Other Expressed Powers

1. Naturalization - the process by which citizens of one country become citizens of another

2. The Postal Power – to establish and maintain the post office

3. Copyrights and Patents A copyright is the exclusive right of an author to reproduce,

publish, and sell his or her creative work. A patent grants a person the sole right to manufacture, use, or

sell “any new and useful art, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter.”

More Expressed Powers4. Weights and Measures

5. Judicial Powers – Create new courts, approve judicial appointments and impeach judges

6. Territorial Powers - Congress has the power to acquire, manage, and dispose of various federal areas.

Implied Powers

1. Can broaden any of the expressed powers

2. The Necessary and Proper Clause gives to Congress the power: “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper. . .”

Non-legislative Powers1. Amendment – may propose with 2/3rds vote2. Electoral – select president when there is no winner in the

electoral college3. Impeachment – judges and the president4. Appointment – must approve of all presidential appointments5. Investigatory

Exit Ticket: Paying down the debt.• Within your group, use the powers of Congress (Article I

section 8) to brainstorm steps that can be taken to pay down the national debt.

• Explain the five best ideas on the group w.s.

• Identify each step as being a revenue increase or an expenditure decrease.

• Select the best idea to share with the class at the end of the hour.