GC.15 Describe the powers of U.S. Congress, including: • Appropriations • Declaration of war • Commerce • Implied powers • Confirmations • Necessary and proper clause H
What am I learning today?
The powers of the United States Congress
Why am I learning this?
To understand how our Congress functions and how its powers impact the nation and our own lives
How will I know I learned this?
When you know US Congress’s various powers and how they shape the country we live in
The Congressional Appropriations Process: An Introduction
When considering appropriations measures, Congress is exercising the power granted to it under the Constitution, which states, “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” 2 The power to appropriate is a legislative power. Congress has enforced its prerogatives through certain laws. The so-called Antideficiency Act, for example, strengthened the application of this section by, in part, explicitly prohibiting federal government employees and officers from making contracts or other obligations in advance of or in excess of an appropriation, unless authorized by law, and providing administrative and criminal sanctions for those who violate the act.3 Furthermore, under law, public funds may be used only for the purpose(s) for which Congress appropriated the funds