What Congress Can and Cannot Do
Presented by The Dirksen Congressional Center
Congress is not allowed to do everything!  The Constitution grants many important powers to Congress such as the power to coin money, declare war, and provide a military.  The Constitution also says some things that Congress CANNOT do.  Do you know the difference?  Uncle Sam has to take a skill-sharpening test every six months.  You take it, too.  Tell which statements are true (T) and which ones are false (F).  
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written powers specifically given to Congress by the Constitution, such as the power to declare war, are called enumerated powers. 
Implied powers are general powers that are stated in the Constitution but are not clearly outlined. 
Inherent powers are unlisted powers that Congress must have simply because it is part of the government and needs to run its affairs smoothly. 
The "Elastic Clause" snaps the Congress back within its given limits if it abuses its power.
The Congress cannot take away a dead citizen's right of Habeas Corpus, except in cases of rebellion or invasion. 
A "bill of attainder" is a law passed by the government that convicts and punishes a person without trial. 
Ex post facto means a crime against the U.S. Postal Service. 
Two powers that individual states possess are the power to make treaties and the power to coin money. 
Two powers of Congress are the power to tax products from an individual state and the power to issue titles of nobility. 
Delegated powers are those given to the federal government.  
The state and federal governments share concurrent powers.  
State and federal governments share reserved powers.  
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It gives Congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its responsibilities.
Habeas Corpus means a person's right to appear in court.  It's for living citizens.

It is a law that punishes people for something they did that was not a crime when they did it.
These are powers of Congress.
They cannot do either.
These are powers given to the state government.

These are state powers.
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