Article 1, Section 8

CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS

by Les Govment

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Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution has 17 clauses that state what things the US Congress has authority over. Here is a synopsis of the 17:

1. Congress has the power to tax, pay debts, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. (Note: general welfare means things that benefit society as a whole– things like roads, bridges and other infrastructure. General welfare does not mean healthcare, food stamps, Social Security and other ways of taking care of the individual.)

2. Congress has the power to borrow money.

3. Congress has the power to regulate commerce.

4. Congress has authority over immigration and bankruptcies.

5. Congress has the power to coin money.

6. Congress has the power to punish counterfeiting.

7. Congress has the power to establish post offices.

8. Congress has the authority to provide copyright and patent protections.

9. Congress has the authority to establish federal courts.

10. Congress has power to punish crimes committed on “the high seas.”

11. Congress has the authority to declare war. (Note: The President does not have the authority to declare war.)

12. Congress has power to provide armies.

13. Congress has authority to provide a Navy.

14. Congress has authority to regulate the Government and armed services.

15. Congress has authority to “call forth the militia.”

16. Congress has other powers concerning militias.

17. Congress has certain powers over the District of Columbia.



I recommend reading the full text of Article 1, Section 8. Our federal government has clearly gone well beyond the limits imposed on it by the U.S. Constitution. //

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