Article
Other

America's Future: Behind the Headlines: The Constitutional Powers of Congress

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A short summary of the powers Congress does and does not have, with an emphasis on the Constitutional basis of each. [Published Jan. 24, 1999]
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Annotation 3: Article I

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides the annotation of Article 1 of the Constitution and the powers held by Congress. Focuses are on the implied, enumerated, inherent, and resulting powers of Congress. At the bottom of the page footnotes are provided.
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress: Foundational

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource from Khan Academy provides foundational-level practice questions over the structures, powers, and functions of Congress. These practice questions are intended for students taking high school or college level American...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Law: War Powers

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Find the reasoning behind the War Powers Act, passed over President Nixon's veto in 1973. Presidential actions taken during the Vietnam War were the impetus for Congress to make a declaration of war more codified. See the times...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The u.s. Congress: Resources a to Z

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Start your research of the U.S. Congress here! Superb links to any information you may need on history, current profile of Congress, and many other sites.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Voting in Congress

For Teachers 9th - 10th
n this lesson, students learn what factors members of Congress consider when deciding whether to vote for a bill, including the powers given to Congress by the Constitution, what a member's constituents want, his or her political party's...
Article
Other

The Verge: All the Ways Congress Is Taking on the Tech Industry

For Students 9th - 10th
After the 2016 presidential contest and years of investigations from intelligence experts, Congress woke up to the power Big Tech holds over democracy - whether it's through collecting data or serving up political ads. For legislators,...
Website
University of Oklahoma

Congress as Grand Inquest

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A thorough discussion of the implied investigative powers of Congress. Early precedents, as well as congressional tools to the process, are described at length.
Primary
Other

The Unconstitutionality of the Laws of Congress Prohibiting Private Mails

For Students 9th - 10th
An exposition by Lysander Spooner on behalf of the American Letter Mail Company entered according to an Act of Congress in1844, asserting that the company should have the right to establish post offices in competition with those of...
Activity
Cato Institute

Cato Institute: Congress, the Courts, and the Constitution [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
An analysis of the conflicting views on the fundamental role of the government of the United States, specifically on the relationship between the different branches of the federal government, and what the Cato Institute regards as their...
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress at Work: Presidential Veto

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The veto process is an integral part of our checks and balances. Introduce the power of the presidential veto and override to a class using an example from President Nixon's administration. Materials include the Constitution, worksheets,...
Activity
University of Missouri

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: War and Treaty Powers

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
War and treaty powers are given to both the President and Congress. How have these powers in the Constitution been interpreted? Here's an easy-to-understand guide along with examples of various cases, Articles I and II, and questions at...
Primary
Yale University

War Powers Act

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the original text of the 1973 War Powers Resolution that requires the President to consult with Congress before committing U.S. troops abroad.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress Protects the Right to Vote

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will draw conclusions regarding actions taken by Congress when passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They will weigh the balance of power between the federal and state governments when protecting the right to vote. Materials...
Primary
Yale University

Library of Congress: The Federalist Papers, No.41

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a copy of Federalist Paper No. 41, authored by James Madison, in which he clearly defines the need to identify and restrain the power of the general government and then addresses the need to distribute that power among the branches.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Human Nature and the Power of Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhibition from the Library of Congress about cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead with interesting insights on how she used her anthropological skills to explore the complexities of living in a diverse world.
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Dirksen Congressional Center:congress for Kids: Introduction to the Constitution

For Students 3rd - 8th
Explore the history of the United States Constitution: information about the writing the Constitution, the Great Compromise, the Constitution's signers, the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution, federal powers, checks and...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Congress Oversight Power

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This excellent site from the University of Groningen provides a clear overview of the oversight function of Congress. Related American History links include text, essay, and biographical resources.
Handout
Cato Institute

Executive Orders and National Emergencies

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The subtitle of this essay is "How Presidents Have Come to 'Run the Country' by Usurping Legislative Power." It discusses how the Constitution defines executive powers in a general way, with few limitations on the power of the President...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Mc Culloch v. Maryland (1819): John Marshall and the Bank Case [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Lesson on Supreme Court Landmark case in which students analyze the constitutional argument and significance of McCulloch v. Maryland and further analyze and interpret implied constitutional powers of Congress through writing, discussion...
Primary
This Nation

This nation.com: u.s. Supreme Court: Buckley v. Valeo, 424 u.s. 1 (1976)

For Students 9th - 10th
This appeal filed in the U.S. Supreme Court describes the expressed powers of Congress to oversee the elections of President, Vice-President and Congress.
Primary
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Vi

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides links to papers written about Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. Sample topics include: Validity of Prior Debts and Engagements, Supremacy of the Constitution, National Supremacy, the Power of Congress in Respect...
Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Legislative Branch

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site designed for students, clearly describes congressional powers and provides excellent accompanying links.
Primary
Other

Us Congress: Congress, the Court, and the Constitution

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Transcript of a congressional hearing, held in 1994, to discuss whether Congress had given too much power to the Supreme Court, against the express intent of the Founding Fathers. This transcript is lengthy but informative, containing...