Que) Discuss the Power and functions of the Congress in United States of America.
Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is the upper chamber and the House of Representatives is the popular chamber in the United States.
Powers and Functions of Congress
The first article of the Constitution states that “all powers of administration hereunder shall be vested in a Congress of the United States”. But in practice the Congress has not only legislative but also administrative and judicial powers.
The functions and powers of the Congress are as follows:-
1. Legislation Related Functions –
The first and foremost function of the Congress is to make laws. Due to the federal system, the Congress has only limited powers in this regard. The legislative powers of the Congress are mentioned in the eighth sub-part of Article 1 and the detailed description of the powers is given in the fourth chapter. In this regard, the powers of the Congress are of three types, under the given implicit and border powers given to the Congress to levy and collect taxes, arrange for debt repayment, arrange for the defense of the country, create currency and manage post and telegraph etc. power is given. Congress will be able to establish other courts under the Supreme Court and will be able to make laws for the regulation of army and navy. Congress also has inherent power to legislate, which is mentioned in the fourth chapter of the constitution, in these powers, to establish banks and corporations, to aid and control anyone, to generate electricity and sell excess electricity, military and naval academy. It also includes setting up, spending money on roads, schools, health insurance, etc. The concurrent list includes subjects on which both the Congress and the legislatures of the states can legislate, levy taxes, collect loans, establish and maintain courts, establish bank corporations, create property for the people, and spend for public welfare in the concurrent list. is included.
2. Electoral related Work –
In the election of the President, the counting of votes takes place in front of both houses of the Congress. If no candidate gets an absolute majority of the Electoral College in the presidential election, then the House of Representatives votes to choose the President from among its three presidential candidates. Does Similarly, if the candidate for the post of Vice-President also does not get a clear majority, then the Senate chooses the Vice- President from the first two. by the House of Representatives through its Speaker and The Vice President elects his Deputy President through the Senate. Apart from this, each House of the Congress decides on the election of its members and their qualifications.
3. Executive related functions –
Executive related powers have been given to the President by the Constitution, but Congress and mainly the Senate are partners in these functions and powers of the President. The power to appoint and make treaties with the President is largely exercised by the Senate. War can be declared only by Congress.
4. Direction and control of the administration –
One of the functions of the Congress is the direction and control of the administration. It can exercise the powers of direction and control by calling for reports and information from the executive department. Administrative agencies and services can be organized by the Congress itself and their functions can be determined.
5. Investigation work –
Investigating work related to direction and control is to investigate the Congress has the right to investigate the corruption prevailing in the administration and appoint an inquiry committee to investigate any other matter. At present, the importance of this work of investigation by the Congress is increasing and the work of governance is affected significantly by the Congress by investigating many important subjects.
6. Admission of new states in the union-
Congress can give admission to new states in the union. Initially there were 13 states in the US Union but now there are 50 states, and Congress has given admission to these states in the Union only by making laws.
7. The right to make rules regarding the discipline and procedure of both the Houses –
the Congress has the right to demand discipline from the members of both the Houses. Create rules to be followed. If any member of the Congress violates the House discipline, then the respected House can expel him from the House by passing a resolution with majority.
8. Financial Functions –
An important function of the Congress is control over the national finances, although the annual budget is prepared by the Bureau of the Budget under the direction of the President. But the budget is passed by the Congress itself and while doing so many important changes are made in the budget. Congress can directly influence the functioning of the executive departments on the basis of its power.
9. Judicial work –
In the constitution, Congress has been given the right to remove treason, corruption or other heinous crime and can remove the President or any other high official from the post by impeachment.
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