The legislative branch is the most powerful branch of the United States government. Congress has the power to tax, spend, make laws, and even make declarations of war. While the executive and judicial branches often work independently of Congress (sometimes even proceeding in complete opposition), the Constitution grants far more powers to Congress, making the legislative branch the most power branch in government.
The Framers of the constitution recognized that the legislative branch would have the most power in the United States. They were concerned that it would be so powerful, that it would be necessary to divide it in two; thus establishing the House of Representatives and the Senate. In class, there was a discussion on The Federalist …show more content…
So much power, it was rightly feared. And Framers thought it necessary for it to check and balance itself. Both the House and Senate possess unique powers in the legislative branch. For example, only the House of Representatives ratify bills that impose taxation, and only the Senate is authorized to give the president "Advice and Consent". Article II of the Constitution enables the president, the head of the executive branch, to make political treaties and assign members to the judicial and executive branches, but he can only do this after he is given permission by two thirds of the Senate. “He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.” (A7). So although the legislative branch is given remarkable powers, it can only exercise those powers when there is agreement between the Senate and the House. …show more content…
The Constitution endows Congress with the power to borrow money and introduce taxes in order to "pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States" (A5). In class, this was referred to as the "Power of the Purse Strings", meaning Congress can control how much money is raised by the national government and where it gets
The Framers of the constitution recognized that the legislative branch would have the most power in the United States. They were concerned that it would be so powerful, that it would be necessary to divide it in two; thus establishing the House of Representatives and the Senate. In class, there was a discussion on The Federalist …show more content…
So much power, it was rightly feared. And Framers thought it necessary for it to check and balance itself. Both the House and Senate possess unique powers in the legislative branch. For example, only the House of Representatives ratify bills that impose taxation, and only the Senate is authorized to give the president "Advice and Consent". Article II of the Constitution enables the president, the head of the executive branch, to make political treaties and assign members to the judicial and executive branches, but he can only do this after he is given permission by two thirds of the Senate. “He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.” (A7). So although the legislative branch is given remarkable powers, it can only exercise those powers when there is agreement between the Senate and the House. …show more content…
The Constitution endows Congress with the power to borrow money and introduce taxes in order to "pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States" (A5). In class, this was referred to as the "Power of the Purse Strings", meaning Congress can control how much money is raised by the national government and where it gets