What are three things Congress cannot do?
Asked by: Dr. Wade Gleichner | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 5/5 (21 votes)
Congress cannot pass laws that violate the Constitution, such as suspending habeas corpus (except in rebellion/invasion), passing bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, granting titles of nobility, or taxing exports; they also can't directly interfere with freedoms in the Bill of Rights or favor one state's ports over another's.
What are some things Congress cannot do?
Section 9 Powers Denied Congress
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
What were three things Congress could not do under the article?
With the passage of time, weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation became apparent; Congress commanded little respect and no support from state governments anxious to maintain their power. Congress could not raise funds, regulate trade, or conduct foreign policy without the voluntary agreement of the states.
What are the limitations of Congress?
The Constitution explicitly grants Congress a set of carefully defined enumerated powers, while reserving most other legislative powers to the states, or to the people. As a result, Congress may not enact any legislation that exceeds the limits of its enumerated powers.
What are the three things Congress can do?
Congress enacts laws that influence the daily lives of all Americans and is intended to serve as the voice of the people. Its responsibilities include funding government functions and programs, holding hearings to inform the legislative process, and oversight of the executive branch.
What You Cannot Do Without | Billy Graham Classic Sermon
What powers are denied to Congress?
Section 9. Powers Denied to Congress
- Clause 2. Writ of Habeas Corpus.
- Clause 3. Bills of Attainder and Ex Post Facto Laws.
- Clause 4. Capitation or Direct Taxes.
- Clause 5. Duties on Exports from States.
- Clause 6. Preference of Ports.
- Clause 7. Appropriations and Accounting of Public Money.
- Clause 8. Titles of Nobility.
What are three things the National Congress could do?
The Constitution assigned to Congress responsibility for organizing the executive and judicial branches, raising revenue, declaring war, and making all laws necessary for executing these powers.
What are 2/3 limitations of the power of the president?
They are subject to three basic limitations: (1) the President may not, without congressional authorization, use these powers to change domestic law or to create or alter existing legal obligations; (2) these powers are subject to regulation by Congress; and (3) in the event of a conflict between the exercise of these ...
What are the 5 limits on government?
Five key limits on government power are the Constitution, Rule of Law, Separation of Powers, Consent of the Governed, and Rights of the Minority, all designed to prevent abuse by establishing rules, dividing authority, ensuring public approval, and protecting individual freedoms from majority rule. These principles ensure government is accountable and serves its people, rather than ruling over them.
What are three limitations on the power of Congress to deny people rights?
In Section 9, there are three limitations on the power of Congress to deny people rights. What are those three limitations? The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended; no bills of attainder passed; no ex post facto laws passed.
What was Congress not allowed to do under the Articles of Confederation?
Congress could not act directly upon the states or upon individuals. Under such circumstances foreign nations doubted the value of a treaty with the new Republic. Furthermore, Congress had no authority to regulate foreign or interstate commerce.
What does the Constitution not say?
The Separation Of Church and State
The phrase “separation of church and state” does not appear anywhere in the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson wrote that the 1st Amendment erected a “wall of separation” between the church and the state (James Madison said it “drew a.
What are three criticisms of the Constitution?
The three criticisms of the Constitution in regards to the functioning of the government are that the established system of government creates gridlock, and that it lacks representation because of the institution of the Electoral College, and the winner-take-all election system.
What powers did Congress not have?
Congress possessed only enumerated powers under the Articles of Confederation. It had no real power to tax, regulate commerce, or raise an army. The inability to tax created major obstacles for the new nation.
What can Congress punish?
Article I, section 5, of the U.S. Constitution provides that "Each House [of Congress] may determine the Rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member." Censure is a form of discipline used by the Senate against its members (sometimes ...
What does the 27th Amendment actually say?
The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of representatives has intervened, meaning Congress can't give itself a pay raise that takes effect immediately; they have to wait until after the next election, allowing voters to decide if they approve. It was originally proposed in 1789 by James Madison but wasn't ratified until 1992, making it the last ratified amendment, with a long history due to its lack of a time limit for ratification.
What are three limits on the powers of Congress?
Section 9: Powers Denied Congress
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
What does article 7 of the U.S. Constitution say?
Article VII of the U.S. Constitution is about the ratification process, stating that nine of the thirteen states needed to approve it through special state conventions for the Constitution to become the law of the land, replacing the Articles of Confederation. It established the conditions for the new government to take effect and included the date the Constitution was signed (September 17, 1787).
What are the six rules of government?
The six major principles of the Constitution are popular sovereignty, separation of powers, judicial review, limited government, checks and balances and federalism.
Can Donald Trump run for President in 2028?
No, Donald Trump cannot run for president in 2028 because the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution strictly limits presidents to two terms in office, and he has already served one full term and is currently serving another, making him ineligible for a third election. While Trump has discussed potential loopholes or continuing in office, constitutional scholars agree there's no legitimate way around this clear prohibition, especially through a "VP loophole" as the 12th Amendment also bars constitutionally ineligible individuals from the vice presidency.
What can't the president do?
A PRESIDENT CANNOT . . .
declare war. decide how federal money will be spent. interpret laws. choose Cabinet members or Supreme Court Justices without Senate approval.
What is the president's salary?
The U.S. President receives a $400,000 annual salary, a rate set in 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account for official duties, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment, along with perks like housing, healthcare, and security, though some presidents donate their salary.
What are the three most important things Congress cannot do?
The Congress is expressly forbidden to pass a bill of attainder or ex post facto law. The Congress is expressly forbidden to pass a head tax unless it is in proportion to the census. The Congress is expressly forbidden to lay a tax or duty on articles exported from any state.
What is the Article 4 Section 4?
Section 4 Republican Form of Government
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
What does the 14th Amendment say?
The 14th Amendment defines U.S. citizenship (birthright citizenship), guarantees all citizens "equal protection of the laws," and ensures states can't deprive anyone of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law," incorporating fundamental rights against states, and also disqualifies rebels from office. It was crucial for civil rights, extending federal protections to formerly enslaved people and ensuring equality under the law.