Article I. Section 8. lists the things that Congress shall have the power to do. There are eighteen numbered (enumerated) powers, paraphrased: Congress shall have the power to: 1 ) Tax by several ways to pay the debts, provide for the common defense and the general welfare of the US. 2) Borrow money on US credit. 3) Regulate commerce, foreign, interstate and with Indian Tribes. 4) Establish uniform naturalization and bankruptcy. 5) Coin money, regulate its value and fix the standards of weights and measures. 6) Punish counterfeiting. 7) Establish Post Officesand post roads. 8) Secure patents and copyrights. 9) Constitute federal courts. 10) Define and punish piracies and felonies at sea and against the Law of nations. 11) Declare war, grant Letters of Marque, and make rules about captures. 12) Raise and support Armies two years at a time. 13) Provide and maintain a US Navy. 14) Rules for Government and regulation of land and navy forces. 15) Provide calling forth the Militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions. 16) Organize, arm and discipline the militia, governing them. 17) Exclusive legislation over the District of Government, forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards… 18) All laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers all another powers in this Constitution for the government, any department or officer of the US…to "form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity…(the preamble of the Constitution)"
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The Department of Defense has the power to report to Congress.
Congress
yes i think that congress has too much power
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution enumerates, or specifies, the powers of the legislative branch of our government (the Congress). This is what Congress is able to do, no more, no less. To me, the most interesting of these powers is the ability to create & regulate money (i.e. its value). Sadly, Congress surrendered this power in 1913 when the Federal Reserve Act was passed. Since that time, the value of the dollar has plummeted dramatically.
Standing Committees are the key power center in Congress.