Chapter 11 Section 4

Objective: To understand the non-legislative powers of Congress

A. Constitutional Amendments

• 1. Congress has the power to propose amendments to the Constitution by two-thirds vote in each house.

• 2. Congress may call a national convention for the purpose of an amendment.

• How many methods are there?

• Where do we find them?

B. Electoral Duties

• 1. The House may be called to elect a President if no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes..what is the magic number today?

• 2. Under the same circumstances, the Senate may be called to elect a Vice President

• House 1 vote per state…Senate 1 vote per Senator.

C. Impeachment

• 1. The House has sole power to vote articles of impeachment, or removal, of the President, Vice President, and all other civil officers of the Federal government.

• 2. The Senate has the sole power to conduct the trial of those impeached by the House.

• Think of the House as a Grand Jury that indicts and the Senate as a Petite Jury (think every jury you have seen on TV) that convicts or acquits.

D. Executive Powers

• 1. The Senate must confirm/reject all major appointments made by the President.

• 2. The Senate must ratify/reject all treaties made by the President.

• What about Executive agreements??

E. Investigatory Power• 1. Congress holds the power to investigate matters

related to its legislative powers..oversight power.• 2. Congress may choose to conduct an investigation

for five reasons:• * To gather information useful to Congress• * To oversee operations of the Executive• *To focus public attention on an issue• * To expose questionable activities of public

officials• * To promote the interests of some members of

Congress