Congress has the power to:
- Make laws.
- Declare war.
- Raise and provide public money and oversee its proper expenditure.
- Impeach and try federal officers.
- Approve presidential appointments.
- Approve treaties negotiated by the executive branch.
- Oversight and investigations.
How does Congress control the bureaucracy?
Both Congress and the president exercise direct oversight over the bureaucracy by holding hearings, making appointments, and setting budget allowances. Citizens exercise their oversight powers through their use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and by voting.
How can Congress limit the power of an agency?
Congress can pass a law to overrule agency decisions, or to narrow the agency’s jurisdiction. Congress can use its appropriations power to restrict the agency’s funding. Congress can also narrow the agency’s regulatory authority.
Why is Congress the most important branch of government?
The Constitution specifically grants Congress its most important power — the authority to make laws. A bill, or proposed law, only becomes a law after both the House of Representatives and the Senate have approved it in the same form. The two houses share other powers, many of which are listed in Article I, Section 8.
What power does Congress use to control the federal bureaucracy?
Congress uses public hearings to monitor bureaucratic behavior. Under some circumstances, Congress can also control the bureaucracy by re-writing legislation and altering appropriations to provide greater direction to those who must implement its policies.
What action can Congress not perform?
Limits on Congress pass ex post facto laws, which outlaw acts after they have already been committed. pass bills of attainder, which punish individuals outside of the court system. suspend the writ of habeas corpus, a court order requiring the federal government to charge individuals arrested for crimes.
What are the four powers denied to Congress?
Today, there are four remaining relevant powers denied to Congress in the U.S. Constitution: the Writ of Habeas Corpus, Bills of Attainder and Ex Post Facto Laws, Export Taxes and the Port Preference Clause.
Can Congress dissolve the Supreme Court?
Congress may not strip the U.S. Supreme Court of jurisdiction over those cases that fall under the Court’s original jurisdiction defined in the U.S. Constitution. Congress can limit only the appellate jurisdiction of the Court.
What is the fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy?
A fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy lies in its ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate for Congress. They have little or no role in moving legislation in Congress, mediating conflicts, convincing Congress, or mobilizing public opinion.
