Article 1 , Section 8 (Original text):
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings;
-And
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.
Explanation:
This section outlines the various powers granted to Congress by the Constitution, covering taxation, commerce, defense, enforcement, military matters, legislative jurisdiction, and necessary and proper legislation.
Powers of Congress
- Taxation and Financial Matters:
- Congress can lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay debts and provide for the defense and welfare of the United States. However, these taxes must be uniform throughout the country.
- It can also borrow money on the credit of the United States.
- Regulation and Commerce:
- Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes.
- It can establish uniform rules for naturalization and bankruptcy.
- Congress can coin money, regulate its value, and establish weights and measures standards.
- Enforcement and Protection:
- Congress can punish counterfeiting, establish post offices and post roads, and promote science and arts by granting exclusive rights to authors and inventors.
- It can establish inferior courts, define and punish piracy and felonies at sea, and enforce international law.
- Military and Defense:
- Congress has the authority to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules for captures on land and water.
- It can raise and support armies and maintain a navy, but appropriations for the army cannot exceed two years.
- Congress can make rules for the government and regulation of the armed forces and call forth the militia to enforce laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions.
- It can also organize, arm, and discipline the militia, with the appointment of officers and training authority left to the states.
- Legislative Jurisdiction:
- Congress exercises exclusive legislation over the District of Columbia and places purchased for government use, including forts, arsenals, and dockyards.
- Necessary and Proper Clause:
- Congress has the power to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers and those vested in the federal government or its departments and officers by the Constitution.
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