What article gives Congress power?

Asked by: Craig Tremblay  |  Last update: February 4, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (48 votes)

Article I of the U.S. Constitution outlines the powers and structure of Congress, establishing it as the legislative branch with its two chambers, the House and Senate, with specific authorities detailed throughout, especially in Section 8, which lists enumerated powers like taxing, regulating commerce, and coining money, along with the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Which article gives power to Congress?

Article I. Article I describes the design of the legislative branch of US Government -- the Congress. Important ideas include the separation of powers between branches of government (checks and balances), the election of Senators and Representatives, the process by which laws are made, and the powers that Congress has.

What does article 1 section 8 of the Constitution say?

Section 8: Powers of Congress

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

What power does article 3 give to Congress?

Text in Article III of the U.S. Constitution appears to give to Congress authority to make incursions into judicial supremacy, by restricting (or, less neutrally, “strip- ping”) the jurisdiction of federal courts. Article III gives Congress authority to make “exceptions” to the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction.

What does article 1 say about Congress?

Article I, Section 1 provides: “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.” The Constitution first vests all federal legislative powers in a representative bicameral Congress.

The Constitution: The Limited Powers of Congress | 5-Minute Video

27 related questions found

What are the articles 1 2 3 of the Constitution?

The first three articles establish the three branches of government and their powers: Legislative (Congress), Executive (office of the President,) and Judicial (Federal court system). A system of checks and balances prevents any one of these separate powers from becoming dominant.

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.

Why is Article 2 important?

Article II of the United States Constitution vests “the executive power” in the President. For more than two hundred years, advocates of presidential power have claimed that this phrase was originally understood to include a bundle of national security and foreign affairs authorities.

What does article 3 protect?

Documents. Article III of the U.S. Constitution provides that federal courts have jurisdiction over “Cases” and “Controversies” arising under federal law.

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. 

What is the Article 1 Clause 7?

(a) A person may not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law or denied equal protection of the laws; provided, that nothing contained herein or elsewhere in this Constitution imposes upon the State of California or any public entity, board, or official any obligations or responsibilities ...

What is Section 4 of Article 2?

Section 4 Impeachment

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

What are the three most significant powers of Congress?

Providing for the common defense. Naturalization. Punishments for piracy, crimes on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations. Declaring war and making rules about material conflicts with other nations including captures on land and water.

What are the four powers of Congress?

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 is the Article 1 7 of the Constitution?

If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

What powers does Article 2 grant?

Section 2 Explained – Powers of the President

Section 2 covers the president's commander-in-chief powers, pardon powers, treaty power, and their ability to fill vacancies and grant commissions.

What is the Article 3 rule?

Article 3 (Draft Article 3) was debated on 17 and 18 November 1948, and 13 October 1949. It empowered Parliament to make law relating to the formation of new states and alteration of existing states.

What is the Article 1 Section 10?

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

What is article 2 simplified?

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the ...

Does the President have absolute power?

Though constrained by various other laws passed by Congress, the president's executive branch conducts most foreign policy, and their power to order and direct troops as commander-in-chief is quite significant (the exact limits of a president's military powers without Congressional authorization are open to debate).

Why is Article II of the Constitution controversial?

Article II of the U.S. Constitution is controversial because its language is broad, creating ongoing debates over the President's powers, especially regarding inherent authority (like in emergencies or foreign policy) versus limited, enumerated powers, leading to conflicts with Congress over issues like removal of officials, executive privilege, and the extent of executive discretion in executing laws. Key debates center on the "vesting clause" ("The executive Power shall be vested...") which lacks explicit limitations found in Article I, fueling arguments for strong, even unilateral, presidential action versus a view that the President only executes laws made by Congress.
 

Who enforces Article 4?

The Articles of Confederation had contained a similar reference, but the Constitution went a step further and granted Congress the power to enact legislation to implement and enforce the “full faith and credit” provision.

What is the Article 7 of the Constitution?

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

What powers does Article 3 give the judiciary?

Article III, Section II of the Constitution establishes the jurisdiction (legal ability to hear a case) of the Supreme Court. The Court has original jurisdiction (a case is tried before the Court) over certain cases, e.g., suits between two or more states and/or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers.