The Three Branches of Government
“expressed powers”
Powers directly written in the Constitution
“enumerated powers”
Powers that are listed by number: 1-18
What Article and Section of the Constitution can they be
found?
Article I
Section 8
What is the elastic clause and what is its purpose?
Article I, Section 8, clause 18.
Allows congress to stretch its powers to meet
situations not anticipated by the creators of the US
Constitution.
Known as the “Necessary and Proper Clause” Permits
Congress to do what is necessary and proper to carry
out its 17 enumerated powers
I. The Legislative Branch
A. Economic Powers
1. Levy Taxes
4. Coin Money
2. Borrow Money
5. Punish Counterfeiting
3. Regulate Commerce
I. The Legislative Branch
B. Defense Powers
1. Declare War
5. Provide Navy
2. Raise and support armed forces 6. Regulate Armed Forces
3. Organize the militia
4. Punish piracy
I. The Legislative Branch
C. Other Powers
1. Naturalize citizens
4. Secure copyrights and patents
2. Establish post offices
5. Govern the District of
Columbia
3. Establish courts
II. The Executive Branch
A. Vague Powers [Not mentioned in the Constitution]
1. Fire officials in the executive branch.
2. Make agreements with foreign nations.
3. Take emergency actions to save the nation.
II. The Executive Branch
B. Specific Powers
1.Commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
2. Appoint the heads of executive departments.
[w/Senate consent].
3. Pardon people convicted of federal crimes. [except: impeachment]
4.
Make treaties with foreign nations
[w/Senate consent].
5.
Appoint ambassadors, federal court judges.[w/Senate consent].
6.
Delivers annual State of the Union address
7.
Calls Congress into special session when necessary
8.
Meets with heads of state, ambassadors and other foreign officials
9.
Commissions military officers
10. Ensure that the laws of Congress are faithfully executed.
III. The Judicial Branch
A.Federal Courts: powers come from the Constitution
and federal laws.
B.State Courts: 50 separate court systems; powers
come from the various state constitutions and state
laws.
3-Explain the president’s role as legislator.
President recommends ideas for laws that
Congress should create
President carries out laws
4-Why do you think that the Founders
expected Legislative Branch, not the
Executive Branch, to be the most
important branch of government?