What are some of Congress powers and responsibilities?
The Constitution grants specific powers to Congress. These include the ability to borrow money, provide for a monetary system, regulate commerce, establish lower federal courts, maintain a military, and declare war. Congress also handles all revenue bills and has the ability to tax. Taxing allows Congress to raise necessary monies to finance the government so that it can provide important services. Taxes raised by the federal government fund interstate highways, federal law enforcement, and our military, among other things. • How does a bill become a law? One of Congress’ most important jobs is debating and passing the laws that govern our country. In order to create a new law, a member of the House or Senate introduces a bill. The bill is then referred to one or more committees that discuss the bill and make any desired changes. Once in final form, the bill is debated on the floor of the chamber where it was first introduced, and amendments may be offered, accepted, or rejected at tha
